Halite
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:LBM1948" title="User:LBM1948">LBM1948</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameHalite
Chemical FormulaNaCl
Mohs Hardness2.5
Crystal Systemcubic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect cubic (three directions at 90 degrees)
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.16
Colorswhite, grey
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityBadwater Salt Flats, Death Valley National Park, California, USA
Mineral GroupHalides
Usesfood additive, de-icing roads, chemical industry, water softening
Associated Mineralsgypsum, anhydrite, sylvite
Raritycommon
Description
The image displays a close-up of crystallized salt, appearing as a textured surface of small, white to light grey, irregular crystal aggregates, with a prominent linear feature of denser crystallization.
Geological Context
Halite forms as an evaporite mineral in arid regions from the evaporation of saline water bodies, such as playa lakes and restricted marine basins. The Badwater Salt Flats are a prime example of such a depositional environment.
