Salt, also known as halite, is an economically important evaporite.
There is a phenomenal array of processes that take part in shaping the earth. One of these processes, evaporation, is integral in forming deposits of certain sedimentary stones called evaporites.
Types
An evaporite, or evaporite mineral, is a sedimentary mineral deposited (forming) when the water it is dissolved in evaporates. An evaporite deposit is a deposit of one or more evaporite minerals.
The major types of evaporite minerals include sulfates, chlorides and nitrates.
Requirements
For evaporite deposits to occur, two things are required for the right environment: a body of water that contains minerals, and evaporation of that body of water at a faster rate than can be refilled.
Process
Evaporite minerals form by order of least soluble. This means that minerals that cannot combine as well with water will form first.
Considerations
Evaporites, and subsequently evaporite deposits, can form various ways. The most common environment for evaporates to form in today are shallow marine lagoons, and coastal salt flats called sabkhas.
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