A series of unconfined compression tests has been made on a marine, quick clay and small specimens were extracted for microstructural investigation. The natural microstructural pattern was characterized by a network of small aggregates connected by links of particles. The links broke down successively at increasing shear deformation and formed domain-like groups of particles. In the macroscopic shear zone the shear forces tended to orient and deform the aggregates.The aggregates behaved as rigid bodies to a certain stress level during the shear process. The concept of residual strength may correspond to the state where the majority of the links have been broken while the aggregates are still intact.