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

“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