evaporite

American  

[ih-vap-uh-rahyt] / ɪˈvæp əˌraɪt /

noun

Geology.

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

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evaporite British  

/ ɪˈvæpəˌraɪt /

noun

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

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evaporite Scientific  

/ 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.

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Etymology

Origin of evaporite

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

Example Sentences

Potash, a group of highly soluble potassium-bearing evaporite minerals, is used as a fertilizer.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

The Jurassic rocks at the base of the sequence are marine in origin, although the Jurassic sequence in Manitoba also includes evaporite layers.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Name some important industrial minerals that form in an evaporite setting.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Hydrology and hydraulic properties of a bedded evaporite formation.

From Forbes • Jan. 1, 2014

Evaporite, evaporite, evaporite, just like Mission One cores, just like Mission Three's, and just like every single mission before if you don't count all the basalt.

From Nature • Jun. 1, 2011