Despite the increasing interest in shale tectonics, general studies on this topic remain scarce, with most existing research focusing primarily on mud volcanoes. Many aspects of the geological processes, geophysical characteristics, and seismic imaging of these structures still need to be better established, especially when compared to the well-documented and thoroughly understood salt systems.

This work provides a concise yet comprehensive reference for researchers and professionals studying shale tectonics and its applications in geological sciences. It includes an abbreviated glossary of the principal terms and concepts related to shale tectonics. This glossary aims to provide clarity and consistency for researchers interested in this specialized field and to establish a first rigorous base for future studies of this topic. The second part offers a brief history of mud volcano studies—tracing contributions as far back as AD 915. Finally, the third part presents an extensive compilation of references and documentation covering 61 regions worldwide where structures involving mobile shales have been described. These regions include both marine and emerged settings, with examples from regions like the Gulf of America (in both the USA and Mexico), the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Makran accretionary prism in offshore Pakistan, multiple areas in Southeast and East Asia, and several basins along the continental margins of Africa, South America, and Australia. The tectonic contexts of these regions are highly diverse, ranging from passive margins to convergent margins with accretionary prisms, as well as large clastic deltaic systems. These examples illustrate the diversity of geological settings and processes associated with shale tectonics, offering a global perspective on their significance and implications.

This volume aims to promote interest in shale systems and highlights their implications, particularly regarding the dynamics of continental margins and basins with weak (low-strength) shale layers. It also seeks to raise awareness of the practical applications of shale tectonic processes. These include, among other things, improving seismic imaging and modeling, assessing their impact on human activities and civil engineering projects, evaluating the seismic behavior of active faults deforming shale-rich sequences, and understanding the role of mobile shales in conventional, unconventional, and renewable energy resources.