The process of resedimentation simulates the natural process of deposition and burial of marine sediments. The primary difference between resedimented and intact mudstone is the lack of heterogeneity in resedimented samples, which is why they are useful in a laboratory setting. The resedimentation process consists of mixing powdered sediment (often derived from intact core material) with water and salt, de-airing the slurry, pouring it into a consolidometer, and incrementally loading it over the course of weeks to months. As the sediment consolidates fluid is allowed to escape through either end of the sample, leaving us at the end with a well-consolidated mudstone.