Really nice looking coyotes you have there. If there is such a thing......jk

So I have some questions about this “coal shale”. Not as it relates to trapping. I am involved with making pottery and teaching about my specific niche in the ceramic field (I replicate native American artifact pottery). Through this I have learned a lot about clay science and geology and such stuff as that.
Coal often has both an “underclay” and an “overclay” layer. Now shale IS clay. Slate is metamorphosed shale. Shale can often be ground up or weathered into clay suitable for various ceramics.
I don't want to offend Vinke and write a dissertation here, but does anyone know the geology/classification of “coal shale”? Is it a true shale? Is it coal that looks like shale? Something else?

Coal shale is actually coal, just a broke down form of it. Sometimes when you start digging into a seam you will run into big chunks.

Thanks Tray!

good read thanks guys,

In an earlier I posted of some spot I have that I consider shale coal. They are spots areas where I believe large veins of coal are beneath the surface. These large spots are exposed to all elements of weather plus eroding from water runoff etc. I will try to hike back in there this week and see if there is a lot of snow cover on the spot and get a handful of it. Black as coal and fine like dirt/sand. I'm sure it is what people are talking about on in this thread.

Great looking yotes!