Question

In which type of formation does gypsum occur?

• A. Bed or layers
• B. Veins and lodes
• C. Results of evaporation in deserts
• D. Alluvial or placer deposits

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Bed or layers

Gypsum can form anywhere where the right combination of mineral elements occurs and evaporation happens. It occurs as clumps of crystals or in thick beds. Gypsum beds were formed in shallow sea basins. These geologic areas are called evaporation basins because as the climate changed from tropic to arid the water evaporated concentrating the minerals it held. Gypsum formations can also occur in tidal flats along coastlines, in lagoons, deltas, hot springs, volcanic areas, desert water tables and even on plant roots.