gipsavsetninger

Gipsavsetninger, also known as gypsum deposits, are accumulations of the mineral gypsum, which has the chemical formula CaSO4·2H2O. These deposits form when water containing dissolved calcium sulfate evaporates, typically in arid or semi-arid environments. Common settings for their formation include shallow marine basins, playa lakes, and salt flats. Over geological time, repeated cycles of evaporation and inflow of sulfate-rich water lead to the precipitation and accumulation of gypsum.

Gypsum deposits can vary significantly in size and purity. Some are massive, forming extensive beds that can be hundreds of meters thick, while others are found as thin layers or nodules. The color of gypsum deposits can range from white to gray, yellow, or even red, depending on the presence of impurities such as clay, sand, or iron oxides. When gypsum is heated, it loses some of its water of crystallization to form plaster of Paris (calcium sulfate hemihydrate), which has been used by humans for millennia in construction, sculpture, and medicine. Anhydrite, a related mineral with the formula CaSO4, can also form under similar conditions, often in environments with even higher salinity.