Himalayan salt doesn't "grow" in the way plants do or crystals might form today; rather, it was formed millions of years ago through a specific geological process.
Understanding the Origin Story
The process that created the vast deposits of Himalayan salt began deep in Earth's history, during the Precambrian era, over 500 million years ago.
The Ancient Inland Sea Evaporates
The story starts with an ancient inland sea that existed in the region. This sea contained dissolved mineral salts. Over immense spans of time, this sea slowly evaporated. As the water disappeared, it leaving behind expansive mineral salt deposits on the seabed.
Geological Transformation and Burial
After the sea had evaporated and the salt deposits were left behind, powerful forces within the Earth came into play. As tectonic activity shifted the earth, the landmasses moved and collided. This geological upheaval caused the ancient seabed, now covered with these thick salt layers, to be uplifted and buried. The deposits were hermetically sealed, meaning they were tightly closed off from the outside environment, and pushed under intense pressure deep within the Earth.
The Result: The Himalayan Salt Deposits
This combination of ancient evaporation, tectonic movement, sealing, and intense pressure created the pure, mineral-rich salt deposits now found deep underground in the Himalayan foothills. These layers of salt have remained protected and preserved for millions of years, untouched by modern pollutants, until they are mined today. Therefore, the "growth" refers to this ancient formation and preservation process, not an ongoing biological or rapid crystalline growth.
