Hobbies And Interests
Conditions of Formation
Studies by the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety have proven that Himalayan salt rock is composed of essentially the same minerals as ordinary table salt, although it is marketed as a desirable alternative. Most rock salt formations occur when saltwater dissolves and leaves behind Na (sodium) and Cl (chloride), which then form NaCl, or halite.
Composition
Salt rock of all types is primarily composed of halite. When Himalayan salt rock is sold as a crystal, it contains slightly higher levels of trace minerals than table salts; however, its composition is still around 98% NaCl. These trace minerals are the cause of salt rock formations in colors other than translucent white.
Occurrence
Because dried bodies of water tend to precipitate halite, rock salt is normally found around the outer edges of former bodies of salt water. The majority of the Pakistani rock salt, and thus the majority of Himalayan salt rock, comes from the Khewra salt mines, the second largest salt mine in the world.