|
Halite (sodium chloride) is a massive, coarsely crystalline rock which often lacks joints. Because it yields plastically and creeps at low pressure and temperature, halite is frequently found in the form of a salt diapir. Rather than reacting with the carbon dioxide and acids in the water, halite goes directly into solution. Because the formation of karst is controlled by the rate of physical solution, the karstic features do not develop as well in humid climates because the mechanical weathering of the material often predominates. Impurities include clay minerals and anhydrite. Halite is considered an evaporite rock.
|
