salt dome

American  

noun

Geology.

1. a domelike rock structure that is formed beneath the earth's surface by the upward movement of a mass of salt, may reach thousands of feet in vertical extent, and is more or less circular in plan: often associated with oil and gas pools.

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salt dome British  

noun

1. a domelike structure of stratified rocks containing a central core of salt: formed by the upward movement of a salt deposit

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Etymology

Origin of salt dome

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Experts believe the sinkhole is caused by the erosion of a large salt deposit or salt dome on which Daisetta is built.

From Washington Times • Apr. 6, 2023

Here in the rural Utah desert, developers plan to create caverns in ancient salt dome formations underground where they hope to store hydrogen fuel at an unprecedented scale.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 20, 2022

Magnum co-founder Rob Webster said the Utah salt dome can probably fit around 100 caverns, meaning it could be used by utilities across the West.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2019

She also pointed to Bayou Corne, portions of which have been swallowed by a sinkhole caused by a salt dome that collapsed while being mined by a Texas company.

From Time • Dec. 10, 2014

The village also is building a larger salt dome at its Public Works headquarters to boost the amount of salt that can be kept nearby.

From Chicago Tribune • Sep. 23, 2014