1. n. [Geology]

A class of sedimentary minerals and sedimentary rocks that form by precipitation from evaporating aqueous fluid. Common evaporite minerals are halite, gypsum and anhydrite, which can form as seawater evaporates, and the rocks limestone and dolostone. Certain evaporite minerals, particularly halite, can form excellent cap rocks or seals for hydrocarbon traps because they have minimal porosity and they tend to deform plastically (as opposed to brittle fracturing that would facilitate leakage).

See related terms: caprock,  carbonate,  mineral,  sabkha,  salt dome,  trap