Halite
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Bgag" title="User:Bgag">Bernard Gagnon</a> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameHalite
Chemical FormulaNaCl
Mohs Hardness2.5
Crystal Systemcubic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
CleavagePerfect cubic (three directions at 90 degrees)
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.16
Colorswhite, colorless, grey, yellow, orange, blue, purple, pink, red, brown
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityDead Sea, Jordan
Mineral GroupHalides
Usesfood additive, de-icing roads, chemical industry, water softening, animal feed
Associated Mineralsgypsum, anhydrite, sylvite, carnallite
Raritycommon
Description
The image displays extensive white to off-white, granular salt deposits forming a crust along the shoreline, with some areas exhibiting stalactitic formations where they meet the turquoise water.
Geological Context
Halite is an evaporite mineral that forms from the evaporation of saline water bodies, such as the Dead Sea. It precipitates in arid environments, creating thick sedimentary layers in ancient and modern basins.
