Salt in the Earth Sciences

A comprehensive review of salt deposition in sedimentary environments worldwide

Salt is formed when water rich in evaporite minerals accumulates on the Earth’s surface and then evaporates. Over time, pressure and tectonics change the structure and shape of salt layers. Recent technological advances have improved the interpretation and modeling of subsurface salt structures.

Salt in the Earth Sciences: Evaporite Rocks and Salt Deposition presents a global overview of salt deposition and deformation in sedimentary basins, synthesizing data analysis, observations, theories, and modeling.

Volume highlights include:

• Overview of salt use by humans from prehistoric times to the modern industrial world
• Chemical and physical principles of evaporite deposition in sedimentary basins
• Effects of gravity and tectonic forces on rock salt deformation
• Development of salt structures in orogenic belts and deep basins
• Seismic interpretation methods for identification of subsurface salt structures
• Key sedimentological models for evaporite deposition in continental and marine environments
• Global examples ranging from modern hypersaline rift lakes to ancient marine salt basins

The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals.