In geology, cleavage refers to the tendency of a mineral or rock to break along specific planes or surfaces. The “best cleavage” is the plane or surface along which a mineral or rock will break most easily. Cleavage is caused by the arrangement of atoms or molecules within a crystal or rock, and it can be used to identify minerals and to understand the geological history of a rock.
Cleavage is an important property of minerals and rocks because it can affect their strength, durability, and appearance. For example, minerals with good cleavage can be easily split into thin sheets, which can be used for a variety of purposes, such as roofing, flooring, and countertops. Rocks with good cleavage can be easily broken into smaller pieces, which can be used for construction or as a source of aggregate for roads and other projects.
