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One of nature's most useful compounds, few substances hold the same reverent spot in mankind's heart that salt does. Amoung its many uses this simple mix of sodium and chlorine is vital to the welfare of all living things, is one of man's five elemental tastes, is used extensively in industry, plays a sacred role in many religious rites and was a type of ancient currency. |
| As its name suggests the Great Salt Lake is flush, 4.3 billion tons flush, with this mightiest of all minerals. Most of the salt present in the Great Salt Lake is the remains of the Great Salt Lake's ancient ancestor Lake Bonneville; a massive prehistoric fresh water lake that once covered much of Utah's landscape. Over 14,000 years ago a large portion Lake Bonneville escaped through Red Rock Pass in Idaho leaving Utah with a much smaller lake. This reduced lake started to shrink even further from evaporation due to changing climate conditions. The minerals in the receding lake, unable to escape through evaporation, were left behind to grow in concentration. The lake continued to shrink and the minerals within it continued to concentrate until at last the desert landscape was left with our present day Great Salt Lake. Although it may not be the lake's most lucrative asset, the ancient salt within the Great Salt Lake is still one of its most valuable resources. Several companies are active upon the shores of the Great Salt Lake harvesting between 1.5 and 2.5 million tons of salt annually from the lake. |
