Rapid Fire
Salt Chimneys in the Dead Sea
- 22 Nov 2024
- 2 min read
Recently, researchers discovered unique salt chimneys on the Dead Sea floor, formed by highly saline groundwater.
- Salt chimney: These are vertical mineral structures formed by saline groundwater rising through the Dead Sea, crystallising salt upon contact.
- These chimneys are created by the upward flow of hypersaline brine from aquifers, which crystallizes upon contact with the Dead Sea's water.
- Hypersaline brine is highly concentrated saltwater, denser than freshwater, formed from dissolved minerals in groundwater, often leading to crystallisation.
- The chimneys grow rapidly and are significant as early indicators of sinkhole risks, providing clues to areas prone to karstification and ground collapse.
- These chimneys are created by the upward flow of hypersaline brine from aquifers, which crystallizes upon contact with the Dead Sea's water.
- Dead Sea: It is a salt lake located between Israel and Jordan, bordered by the Judean Hills to the west and the Transjordanian Plateau to the east, at 430 meters below sea level, making it the lowest point on Earth.
- It is one of the saltiest bodies of water, with unique therapeutic properties. Its water level drops annually due to minimal inflow and high evaporation.
- Historically, the Jordan River was its primary water source, but today, the Dead Sea is mainly fed by sulfur springs and wastewater.
Read More: World’s Longest Salt Cave
