Primary gypsum nodules in a modern sabkha on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. In the clayey sand a few centimentres below the surface there are these white nodules with sutures between them. These are probably Recent anhydrite nodules like those described in previous literature from the Abu Dhabi area of the Emirates. These are not crumbly and prone to distintegrate as is usually the case and very much resemble ancient nodules of anhdyrite or secondary gypsum. In some ancient sequences where there has been replacement of quartz from the outside and dissolution of the calcium sulphate these can form geodes .
Further study is needed.
At present we have not yet done laboratory studies and cannot even be sure that this is anhydrite and not gypsum. Further into the salt lake the anhydrite is soft and creamy and solid nodules cannot be extracted. U.K. It is a misty morning after recent heavy rainfall and the cliffs are smeared with clay washed down from above. Much debris has fallen and the far block has slid out of position a little. The Bencliff Grit Member is middle Oxfordian in age and is of marine origin.