Salts - Halite

Page / - last modified by TerraIndex TerraIndex on 2021/09/30 15:18

Halite

last modified by TerraIndex TerraIndex

on 2021/09/30 15:18

Table of Contents

Halite is better known under its other name: "rock salt" Halite is made up of sodium chloride, so normal table salt. This rock type forms when oceans or saline lakes dry up and form large domes or layers of salt. This happens in very arid climates. A sea or saline lake doesn't have to dry up completely to form halite. Halite can form by precipitation from the oversaturated waterbody. Salt layers or deposits can't handle much stress or pressure so they deform into the easiest shape to deal with this stress. This has as a result that rock salt can be found in all kinds of shapes and forms in the subsurface.

Characteristics

Halite is colorless or white when pure. Impurities produce any color but usually yellow, grey, black, brown or red. Its streak is white and halite has a vitreous luster. Its hardness is soft, a 2.5 on Mohr's scale. It can be recognized by its perfect cubic cleavage and solubility in water.

References

https://geology.com/

Bonewitz, Ronald Louis (2012). Rocks and Minerals. DK Publishing. p. 110. ISBN 978-0-7566-9042-7.

Halite

Type	Salt stone
Chemical formula	NaCl
Color	colorless or white
Streak	White
Luster	Vitreous
Hardness	Soft
Cleavage	Perfect cubic
Image	Halite

Contents

Characteristics

References

Halite