Rare mirabilite formations spotted on Great Salt Lake
Nov 25, 2024, 11:35 AM | Updated: 11:42 am
FILE --Mark Milligan, with the Utah Geological Survey, takes a photo of a mound formed by the mineral mirabilite on the shores of the Great Salt Lake on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (Scott G. Winterton/Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton/Deseret News)
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GREAT SALT LAKE, Utah — Rare mirabilite formations were recently spotted on the waters of Great Salt Lake.
According to the Utah Division of State Parks, the rare mirabilite formations can only be found in a few areas; the Canadian Arctic, Antarctica, Central Spain, and Utah.
The Utah Geological Survey said that mirabilite mounds form when water rich in sodium sulfate comes into contact with cold air. Crystals stick together, creating mounds. The mounds are composed of hydrated sodium sulfate, commonly known as Glauber’s salt.
Mirabilite is common and found in saline lakes all over. Crystals form and reach the water’s surface, eventually washing ashore.
However, the mirabilite formations spotted on Great Salt Lake on Nov. 21 are rare. The Utah Division of State Parks said underground springs containing a lot of sodium sulfate caused them.
The Utah Geological Survey said they are rare because they are spring-fed. Their first recorded appearance on the lake’s waters was in October 2019, per the survey’s website.
Mirabilite formations will eventually disappear from the water’s surface. Warmer water temperatures could erode them, reducing them to thenardite. Alternatively, rising lake levels could reduce them.
Since their appearance relies on highly specific conditions, it is unknown if or when they will reappear on the lake.
Fragile, view carefully
The Utah Division of State Parks’ Facebook post asked visitors to be careful around the formations. They are very fragile.
Visitors are asked to view them from a distance and avoid walking on them. Also, do not remove any crystals from the formations.
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