Salt structures consist of Upper Permian Zechstein salt. The salt structures are, almost without exception, related to basement faults. This paper concerns the relative location of the basement faults and salt structures, the triggering of salt flow, and the rate of this flow. 

The Netherlands sector of the continental shelf can be subdivided into a number of salt provinces on the basis of their developmental stage. This subdivision coincides with the structural units. The maturity of the salt structure is proportional to the throw of the basement fault. A relationship exists between basement faulting and increased salt flow, and the interference of fault systems in the basement is reflected in the geometry of the salt structures. The effect of basement faulting on salt flow appears to correspond with the results of previously published physical modeling. The buoyancy force related to the density inversion alone seems insufficient to pierce the overburden. Weakening of the overburden and enhancing the buoyancy forces by differential loading enable the salt to flow and breach the overburden.