Salt glacier

The causes of these formations is primarily due to salt's unique properties and its surrounding geologic environment.

A paper published in November 2023 suggests that salt glaciers composed of halite might also be present on Mercury.

Miocene glaciers flowed into sheets in the northern Gulf of Mexico and were similarly preserved by overriding sediment.

Over time sediments, rock and debris cover the deposit, causing layers to build up over the salt.

Due to its crystalline structure, salt remains at the same density while the sediment above begins to compress and become denser.

Active diapirism develops as the rising salt itself pushes and forces the overburden upward and sideways.

Salt will continue to flow on the surface if sedimentation, erosion and disintegration rates are slow and thus will have little impact.

Salt glaciers are mostly found in arid areas, where they will be preserved due to the dry climatic conditions.