How is Halite Formed?

In a previous post, we began discussing some basic information about rock salt, also known as halite, so you can understand more about the substance that helps you drive safer each winter. We left off talking about how halite forms during the evaporation of seas, however we didn’t go into too much detail about it.

Over 200 million years ago, certain continents were covered in seas that contained high salt contents. The crystal deposits of rock salt and table salt form in times when these large bodies of water rapidly evaporate. The salt forms in large, chunky crystals underground that are later mined. These underground salt beds can be hundreds of meters thick and span very broad areas. In North America alone, there are massive salt beds that span from the Appalachian basin in New York to Ontario. Other deposits are located in Kansas, Ohio, New Mexico, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan. One of the largest salt beds, producing an average of a million tonnes per year, is in the United Kingdom at Winsford in Cheshire.

Salt domes are another kind of halite formation in which vertical pipe-like masses of salt form from underlying salt beds. The weight of overlying rock essentially squeezes these domes from the ground. Salt domes also commonly contain gypsum, anhydrite, sulfur, and sylvite. These formations are commonly seen along the Gulf coast of Texas and Louisiana.

Once these various deposits are mined, we can use rock salt to melt ice away from snowy roads, making roads safer for driving. Finding rock salt distributors to depend on during the winter can be important. At Rock Salt USA, we make it easier by offering delivery services to certain locations. Learn more about our services and get a quote on delivery at RockSaltUSA.com.