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Glite Dictionary
evaporite

evaporite

1 9.9
Mineral layers left when water dries, like salt or gypsum
  • noun
  • /ɪˈvæpəˌraɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : evaporito
  • During the evaporation process, layers of evaporite can develop, indicating a history of water loss.
  • evaporite deposit
  • evaporite minerals
  • evaporites and carbonates

Examples

  • Maximum terrain 220 meters over mean surface largely cinder and gypsum with some evaporite deposits.

    Pitch Black (2000)

  • Evaporite minerals, such as evaporite, form when seawater evaporates in hot, arid environments.

  • The study of evaporites reveals how ancient seas left behind salt deposits as they dried up.

Synonyms

deposit
vsevaporite
  • Specialized
78 3.5

A layer of sand or minerals that nature leaves over time

is a mineral layer caused specifically by evaporating water
sedimentary rock
vsevaporite
  • Specialized
3 3.5

Rock made from layers of sand, mud, or broken shells

is a specific mineral layer formed when water evaporates

Surface Forms

evaporite singular
evaporites plural

Morphology

evaporite = evaporate (transparent) = evapor + ite

The noun is formed from the verb 'evaporate' plus the mineral/rock-forming suffix '-ite', so the meaning 'deposit resulting from evaporation' follows directly.

Etymology

The word evaporite comes from the same root as evaporate and vapor, where evapor- means 'to turn into vapor' and the ending -ite means 'a mineral or rock'. So an evaporite is a mineral left behind when water evaporates, like salt left in a dried lake.