How is gravel classified as a type of rock?

Is gravel considered a conglomerate, sandstone, or shale type rock?

a) Conglomerate
b) Sandstone
c) Shale
d) None of the above

Final answer: Gravel can be best classified as a conglomerate type of rock.

Explanation:

Gravel is best classified as a conglomerate type of sedimentary rock. In contrast, sandstone is typically characterized by a more uniform, sand-sized composition, and shale is deemed a mudstone with fine grains and abundant fossil fragments. Conglomerate is defined by being composed of significant portions of rounded or angular fragments - as gravel is. To envision this in geological context, imagine the sediment movement in a river's flow. Larger particles, such as gravel, roll along the riverbed, accumulating with other particles and eventually harden into a rock substance, forming a conglomerate.

With consideration for sandstone, it's composed of sand-sized minerals, or rock fragments, but does not contain larger rounded or angular fragments. Finally, shale is composed of very fine particles of mud, often with fossilized plankton and exhibits fine laminations.