Mineral
Halite
Also Known As Rock Salt
Halide Minerals
Halite, commonly known as rock salt, is the mineral form of sodium chloride, NaCl, and forms isometric crystals. It is typically colorless or white, but depending on inclusions and impurities it can also be light or dark blue, purple, pink, red, orange, yellow or gray. Most halite occurs in sedimentary rock formed by the evaporation of seawater or salty lake water, and such evaporite beds can be hundreds of metres thick. It also forms salt domes, which are common along the Gulf coasts of Texas and Louisiana and are often associated with petroleum deposits. Salt is used extensively in cooking as a flavor enhancer and in food preservation, and rock salt is spread on roads and sidewalks to melt ice. The name comes from the Ancient Greek word for salt.
Facts
Formation ClassEvaporite (commonly occurs with other evaporite deposit minerals such as sulfates, halides and borates) 1 Chemical Formula Hardness (Mohs)Commonly cited range is 2.0 to 2.5 on the Mohs scale; 2.5 is used here. Classification
Strunz Class Crystal System UseWikipedia 'Halite' states this use (or use-bearing statement); earth5 pass. Connections
Associated With
Halite named as one of the most common marine evaporite minerals.
Source Evaporite (Wikipedia)
Caused By
Source EBSCO Research Starters: Sedimentary mineral deposits
Additional Source Halite (Wikipedia)Occurrence
Additional Source EBSCO Research Starters: Sedimentary rock classificationEvaporites
Classified As
Crystallizes In System
In Discipline
Source Halite (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Halite (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationArticle text
Halite ( HAL-yte, HAY-lyte), commonly known as rock salt, is a type of salt, the mineral (natural) form of sodium chloride (NaCl).
Infobox: mohs
2.0-2.5
Lead section
Halite ( HAL-yte, HAY-lyte), commonly known as rock salt, is a type of salt, the mineral (natural) form of sodium chloride (NaCl).
Lead section
The mineral is typically colorless or white, but may also be light blue, dark blue, purple, pink, red, orange, yellow or gray depending on inclusion of other materials, impurities, and structural or isotopic abnormalities in the crystals.
Caused By: Sedimentation, Occurrence
Halite dominantly occurs within sedimentary rocks where it has formed from the evaporation of seawater or salty lake water.
View the Source 2. Wikidata: Halite
Wikidata Q5314
3. minerals.net: Halite
minerals.netColor field
Colorless, white, red, yellow, orange, pink, blue, violet, green, and gray. May also be multicolored with a solid and clear color such as blue and white.
Luster field
Vitreous
About
Halite, the natural form of salt, is a very common and well-known mineral.
View the Source Evaporite (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Evaporite, Marine evaporite minerals sectionQuote, Associated With: Evaporite, Marine evaporite minerals section
The most common marine evaporites are calcite, gypsum and anhydrite, halite, sylvite, carnallite, langbeinite, polyhalite, and kainite.
EBSCO Research Starters: Sedimentary rock classification
EBSCO Research StartersCaused By: Sedimentation, EvaporitesQuote, Caused By: Sedimentation, Evaporites
The main groups of sedimentary rocks include evaporites, which form from the evaporation of seawater or freshwater, resulting in minerals like gypsum and halite.
EBSCO Research Starters: Sedimentary mineral deposits
EBSCO Research StartersCaused By: Sedimentation, Evaporite depositsQuote, Caused By: Sedimentation, Evaporite deposits
Large deposits of anhydrite (calcium sulfate), gypsum (hydrated calcium sulfate), and halite (sodium chloride, also known as table salt) have formed in small seas in areas with arid climates.
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