IV.—Gypsum and Anhydrite in Genetic Relationship

In certain geological horizons where there is evidence of continuous deposition of salts from the waters of inland basins, gypsum and anhydrite are found closely associated, while in other similar horizons gypsum may occur with apparently no trace of anhydrite. Some Upper Silurian occurrences in North America, the Lower Carboniferous of Eastern Canada, and the Zechstein of Northern Germany are illustrative of the association of both minerals, while in more recent gypsum horizons anhydrite seems to appear less frequently. Even in the one horizon anhydrite is found to be of only local occurrence. In New York and in Michigan the Salina formation contains both gypsum and salt deposits, but practically no anhydrite. In Manitoba, on the other hand, in an Upper Silurian formation which cannot be definitely correlated with the Salina of New York, but which is at any rate of approximately the same age, gypsum and anhydrite occur in the most intimate relationship.