How do the properties of salt compare with the properties of sodium and chlorine

Sodium is very very reactive. a solid metal which must be kept under oil to keep it way from water and the atmosphere. chlorine is a very very reactive gas which is highy toxic.
Sodium chloride is an ionic compound that is stable, non toxic, un reactive and used to flavour food such as "fish 'n chips"

Depending on how the continental plates move it can cause a continental scale shift.