silt, predominantly quartz mineral particles that are between sand size and clay size, i.e., between 1/16 and 1/256 mm (1/406 -1/6502 in.) in diameter. Silt, like clay and sand, is a product of the weathering and decomposition of preexisting rock. Hardened silt forms a sedimentary rock called siltstone, which tends to deposit in thin layers sometimes referred to as flagstone because it is hard, durable, and flat, breaking into nearly rectangular slabs.

Sediment particles 0.00016–0.0024 in. (0.004–0.06 mm) in diameter, regardless of mineral type. Silt is easily transported by moving currents but settles in still water. An unconsolidated aggregate of silt particles is also called silt, whereas a consolidated aggregate is called siltstone. Silt deposits formed by wind are known as loess. Sediments are seldom composed entirely of silt but rather are a mixture of clay, silt, and sand. Clay-rich silt, upon consolidation, frequently develops parting along bedding surfaces and is then called shale. If parting does not develop, the massive rock is called mudstone.

Learn more about silt with a free trial on Britannica.com.

The Town of Silt is a Statutory Town in Garfield County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,740 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Silt is located at (39.546316, -107.652072), about 185 miles west of Denver.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.3 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,740 people, 648 households, and 452 families residing in the town. The population density was 616.6 people per square mile (238.2/km²). There were 668 housing units at an average density of 236.7/sq mi (91.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 89.60% White, 0.17% African American, 1.32% Native American, 7.41% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.20% of the population.

There were 648 households out of which 41.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the town the population was spread out with 30.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 37.6% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 108.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $44,632, and the median income for a family was $51,736. Males had a median income of $37,566 versus $25,417 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,723. About 5.0% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 17.1% of those age 65 or over.

References

External links

• Town of Silt website
• CDOT map of the Town of Silt