evaporite

[ ih-vap-uh-rahyt ]

noun

, Geology.

1. any sedimentary rock, as gypsum or rock salt, formed by precipitation from evaporating seawater.

evaporite

/ ɪˈvæpəˌraɪt /

noun

1. any sedimentary rock, such as rock salt, gypsum, or anhydrite, formed by evaporation of former seas or salt-water lakes

evaporite

/ ĭ-văp′ə-rīt′ /

1. A sedimentary rock that consists of one or more minerals formed as precipitates from the evaporation of a saline solution, such as saltwater. Usually, the first evaporite to form from saltwater is calcium, followed by gypsum and then halite.

Word History and Origins

Origin of evaporite¹

First recorded in 1920–25; evapor(ation) + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of evaporite¹

C20: evaporation + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

“Because these evaporite minerals are our most direct way of sampling ancient sea waters, this deposit gives us a snapshot of seawater in the interval time when we don’t really have any other direct constraints.”

From Scientific American

This is our first clue: sinkholes require some rock-like substrate that water can dissolve, like salt or limestone or other kinds of evaporite or carbonate rock.

From Scientific American

A smoothly wrinkled floor - like the disturbed surface of a pudding - wears a crust of evaporite minerals, and dripping water has scoured leopard spots into the crust.

From Washington Times

These evaporite regions are Titan's equivalent to salt flats on Earth where bodies of water evaporate, leaving behind minerals that had previously been dissolved in the water.

From BBC

Hydrology and hydraulic properties of a bedded evaporite formation.

From Forbes