Mysterious Dead Sea chimneys could predict future sinkholes

Divers have come across mysterious structures on the Dead Sea floor resembling smokestacks, which emit plumes of fluid. According to IFLScience, this discovery could be crucial for understanding the dynamic water system of this region. The Dead Sea, being a closed basin, has been losing water for years due to drought, heat, and agricultural exploitation, causing its level to drop by about 3 feet annually.

Scientists encountered these remarkable structures while studying changes in the groundwater system. Dr. Christian Siebert from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Leipzig explains that although they resemble black chimneys found in deep oceanic depths, their system is completely different. These chimneys emit highly saline groundwater, which crystallizes upon contact with the Dead Sea water, creating unique formations.

Researchers note that while the chimneys from the Dead Sea resemble those found on mid-ocean ridges, they are entirely different. First, the objects discovered in this sea are relatively close to the surface and emit very salty water. In contrast, black chimneys are located several thousand feet below the surface and emit hot water containing sulfides.

Scientists explain that the formation of these chimneys involves, among other things, old layers of rock composed mainly of the mineral halite. Chlorine-36, a radioisotope known as a cosmogenic nuclide, is also significant.

Experts in sea research claim that the discovered chimneys may serve as a warning factor for sinkholes that have appeared in the Dead Sea over the last few decades. As part of an international program, scientists are conducting drills at a depth of 3,937 feet below sea level to better understand the region’s climate history. These studies are also expected to provide valuable information about past cataclysms and help with better management of natural resources.

Using the latest technology, researchers are trying to overcome challenges related to the extreme salinity of the Dead Sea. The samples collected may unveil new insights about one of the saltiest places on Earth and help in predicting future geological phenomena such as sinkholes, which pose threats to infrastructure and agriculture in the region.