Salt of the Earth
In this section of canyon wall, you can see deposits of white minerals. These delicate crystals grew as mineral-laden water evaporated.
Mineral deposits such as these are currently forming on the floor of Death Valley. Water carries dissolved sodium, chlorine, sulfur, calcium, boron and other elements from the surrounding mountains.The arid climate rapidly evaporates water from the valley floor, concentrating these elements into new minerals such as halite (table salt), gypsum, and borax. Observe these interesting formations at the salt sink near Badwater or the Devil's Golf Course.
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| GLOSSARY | > arid, evaporation, mineral, salt sink, , , |
GOLDEN CANYON GEOLOGY TRAIL
Mineral deposits in canyon wall