Where is Halite found?
Halite (rock salt)
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Open the appHalite occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Halite
Zechstein Basin, Europe
Extensive Permian-age halite deposits underlie much of northern Europe, including Germany, Poland, and the UK.
Michigan Basin, USA
Large Silurian-age halite deposits are found in the subsurface of Michigan and surrounding states.
Gulf Coast, USA
Jurassic and Tertiary halite deposits form numerous salt domes in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Kalahari Desert, Botswana
Modern halite deposits are found in salt pans and playas.
Dead Sea, Middle East
A hypersaline lake with ongoing halite precipitation.
Collecting tips
- Taste Test (Caution Advised). Halite has a distinct salty taste. While generally safe, avoid tasting unknown minerals. For halite, a small taste of a clean sample is a strong indicator.
- Cleavage Examination. Look for perfect cubic cleavage. Breaking a piece of halite will typically result in smaller cubic or rectangular fragments.
- Hardness Test. Halite is soft (Mohs hardness 2-2.5) and can be scratched easily with a fingernail or a copper coin.
- Solubility. Halite is readily soluble in water. A small fragment will dissolve in a glass of water.
- Geological Context. Search in evaporite sequences, salt domes, or arid environments where saline lakes or playas have dried up.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Colorless to white (pure), various colors with impurities
- Luster:
- Vitreous (glassy)
- Streak:
- White
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