Salt domes result from: A. Tectonic deformation in the earth\'s crust along subd

Question

Salt domes result from:
A. Tectonic deformation in the earth's crust along subduction zone boundaries. B. Stream transportation of evaporites minerals in solution. C. Tectonic uplifting of continental plates. D. Plastic deformation of salt layers within the earth due to pressure of overlaying sediments. Salt domes result from:
A. Tectonic deformation in the earth's crust along subduction zone boundaries. B. Stream transportation of evaporites minerals in solution. C. Tectonic uplifting of continental plates. D. Plastic deformation of salt layers within the earth due to pressure of overlaying sediments.
A. Tectonic deformation in the earth's crust along subduction zone boundaries. B. Stream transportation of evaporites minerals in solution. C. Tectonic uplifting of continental plates. D. Plastic deformation of salt layers within the earth due to pressure of overlaying sediments.

Explanation / Answer

B. Stream transportation of evaporites minerals in solution.

The formation of a salt dome begins with the deposition of salt in a restricted marine basin. Because the flow of salt-rich seawater into the basin is not balanced by outflow, much to all water lost from the basin is via evaporation, resulting in the precipitation and deposition of salt evaporites. The rate of sedimentation of salt is significantly larger than the rate of sedimentation of clastics, but it is recognised that a single evaporation event is rarely enough to produce the vast quantities of salt needed to form a layer thick enough for salt diapirs to be formed. This indicates that a sustained period of episodic flooding and evaporation of the basin must occur, as can be seen from the example of the Mediterranean Messinian salinity crisis.

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