Researchers at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) have made a remarkable discovery of meter-high salt chimneys on the floor of the Dead Sea. These unique structures, formed by the crystallization of minerals, provide insights into the dynamics of groundwater systems in this region.
Unlike the well-known black smokers found along mid-ocean ridges, which emit hot mineral-rich fluids, the chimneys in the Dead Sea are created by highly saline groundwater flows. As groundwater from surrounding aquifers dissolves halite and rises as brine plumes, it forms these chimney-like formations that can reach heights of over seven meters.
Dr. Christian Siebert, the lead author of the study, explains, "Because the density of this brine is somewhat lower than that of the water in the Dead Sea, it rises upwards like a jet. It looks like smoke, but it's a saline fluid." The discovery was made during a survey at a depth of approximately 30 meters, where divers observed the rapid growth of these chimneys, which can increase several centimeters in height within a single day.
Beyond their geological significance, these salt chimneys may serve as critical indicators for predicting sinkholes. Sinkholes, which pose risks to life, agriculture, and infrastructure, occur when large underground cavities collapse. The research team found that the formation of these chimneys correlates with areas where the land surface has collapsed, suggesting that the groundwater flow responsible for the chimneys could also create underground voids.
Dr. Siebert states, "This makes the white smokers an outstanding forecasting tool for locating areas that are at risk of collapse in the near future." As thousands of sinkholes have emerged around the Dead Sea in recent decades, this discovery could provide a means to anticipate and mitigate the hazards associated with these geological events.
The findings were published in the journal Science of The Total Environment, marking a significant advancement in our understanding of the interplay between groundwater dynamics and geological formations.