oa Evaporite Depositional Systems: Is the Past the Key to the Present?

Area plots of the world’s Phanerozoic and Neoproterozoic evaporite deposits, using a GIS base, shows that Quaternary evaporite deposits are poor counterparts to the greater portion of the world’s Phanerozoic evaporite seals. They are only directly relevant to same-scale same-climate continental lacustrine hydrologies of the past and, as such, can be used to better understand what is needed to create widespread salt beds rich in Na2SO4, NaCO3, borate and lithium salts.