Rock That Easily Fractures Crossword Clue

By: Five Letter Words | Last edited: Apr 19, 2025

Looking to solve the challenging Rock that easily fractures crossword clue featured in the Apr 19, 2025 New York Times Mini puzzle? We've done the research and identified the precise 5-letter answer you're seeking. For those interested in a more interactive puzzle-solving experience, we've developed engaging features to enhance your journey. Our progressive letter reveal tool allows you to uncover the solution gradually, or you can explore our carefully crafted hints—such as an anagram, an alternative clue sharing the same answer, or a detailed definition to guide your thinking. Plus, we've made navigating other clues from the same puzzle easy, allowing you to solve multiple clues seamlessly. Ready to master this geological crossword challenge? Let's explore the solution together!

Crossword Answer:

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About This Clue

The April 19, 2025 New York Times Mini Crossword featured the clue "Rock that easily fractures" with the answer SHALE. This clue refers to the geological characteristics of shale, which is a sedimentary rock composed of very fine clay particles and mud that has been compacted over time. Shale is known for its laminated structure, meaning it forms in thin, parallel layers that can easily split or fracture along these planes, a property known as fissility.

Geological Context

Shale is one of the most common sedimentary rocks on Earth, making up roughly 70% of all sedimentary rock in the Earth's crust. It forms in relatively calm waters like lakes, lagoons, river deltas, and certain marine environments where fine clay and silt particles can settle. Over millions of years, these fine particles are compacted under pressure, causing the clay minerals to align perpendicular to the pressure, creating the characteristic layered structure.

The easily fractured nature of shale comes from its sheet-like mineral structure and the way these minerals are arranged in parallel layers. This property makes shale split into thin, flat pieces along its bedding planes rather than breaking across them. This distinctive characteristic is what the crossword clue is referring to with the phrase "easily fractures."

Economic Importance

In recent decades, shale has gained significant economic importance due to the development of hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") and horizontal drilling technologies that have made it possible to extract oil and natural gas from shale formations that were previously inaccessible. These shale gas and shale oil reservoirs have revolutionized energy production in several countries, particularly the United States.

Interestingly, the very property referenced in the crossword clue—the tendency of shale to fracture easily—is what makes these rocks significant for energy production. By artificially fracturing the shale formations deep underground, trapped hydrocarbons can be released and collected.

NYT Mini Crossword Tips

When solving geology-related crossword clues, it helps to be familiar with common rock types and their distinctive properties. For sedimentary rocks like shale, limestone, or sandstone, clues often refer to their composition, formation process, or physical characteristics. In this case, the clue focuses on the distinctive fracturing property of shale. Remembering that shale is a 5-letter word that describes a rock known for splitting easily along layers can help you quickly solve similar geology clues in future puzzles.

Related Crossword Answers

More Clues & Answers For The New York Times Mini (April 19, 2025)

ACROSS

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DOWN

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