Beneath the depths of the Dead Sea, an extraordinary discovery has unveiled shimmering pillars of salt, known as "white smokers," which scientists believe may hold the key to predicting life-threatening sinkholes in the region.
Experts exploring the Dead Sea’s floor have identified massive salt chimneys, some stretching up to 23 feet (7 meters) tall, spewing shimmering brine into the surrounding water. These unique formations, described as “white smokers,” are unlike anything seen before and could act as early indicators of unstable ground beneath the lake.
Sinkholes Around the Dead Sea?
The Dead Sea, bordered by Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank, is known for its extreme salinity—nearly ten times saltier than the ocean. Over the last 50 years, this iconic body of water has been shrinking rapidly due to drought and evaporation, leading to the depletion of groundwater resources in neighboring areas.
One alarming consequence of this phenomenon is the increasing formation of sinkholes. As the water table drops, salt-rich rocks beneath the lake dissolve, leaving behind hollow cavities. These cavities eventually collapse, creating sinkholes that can appear suddenly and without warning, posing significant risks to local communities and infrastructure.
Christian Siebert, a hydroecologist at the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research in Germany, led the study that identified these towering salt structures. He believes they could serve as an invaluable tool for locating areas at risk of collapse. “To date, no one can predict where the next sinkholes will occur,” Siebert explained. “This makes the white smokers an outstanding forecasting tool for identifying regions at risk of collapse in the near future.”
The Mystery Behind the White Smokers
While investigating groundwater reserves beneath the Dead Sea, Siebert and his team discovered the gleaming salt chimneys. Most of these formations rise between 3 and 7 feet (1 to 2 meters) from the lake floor, with some reaching an imposing 23 feet (7 meters) in height and measuring up to 10 feet (3 meters) across.
The pillars are formed when groundwater from surrounding aquifers penetrates the salt-rich rocks of the Dead Sea floor. As this briny water mixes with the denser saltwater of the lake, the salt crystallizes, creating slender columns that rise from the sediment. These structures can grow by several inches daily as salt continues to accumulate.
“The shimmering liquid rising from these chimneys is a saline fluid, not smoke,” Siebert said, explaining how the interaction between the two water types generates the mesmerizing “jet-like” effect.
A New Tool to Predict Sinkholes?
Published in the journal Science of The Total Environment, the team’s findings suggest a direct link between these white smokers and the formation of sinkholes. The dissolution of salt-rich rocks beneath the lake is often concentrated in areas where these chimneys are found, hinting at their potential to act as natural markers for instability.
If further studies confirm this relationship, mapping the distribution of white smokers on the Dead Sea floor could become a critical method for predicting future collapses. According to Siebert, “This would be the only method to date, and a highly efficient one, for identifying regions at risk of imminent collapse.”
This discovery offers hope for improving safety measures in the region, where sinkholes have caused significant damage in recent years. By using advanced mapping technologies to chart the locations of these towering chimneys, scientists may gain a better understanding of the underlying geological processes and provide early warnings to communities at risk.
The Future of Dead Sea Research
The Dead Sea’s unique geological and ecological characteristics continue to fascinate researchers. With ongoing studies into phenomena like white smokers and sinkhole formations, scientists are uncovering vital insights that could help mitigate risks for the surrounding areas.
As the Dead Sea shrinks, discoveries like these emphasize the importance of understanding and addressing the environmental challenges facing this iconic region. Could these towering salt chimneys become a beacon of hope for predicting and preventing disasters? Only time—and further research—will tell.