Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Dead Sea, Salt Chimneys
Why in the News?
Researchers have identified unique salt chimneys on the Dead Sea floor.
Key facts about the Dead Sea:
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About the Salt Chimneys
- Salt chimneys are tall, chimney-like structures made of crystallized salt, recently discovered on the Dead Sea floor.
- They are found by researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) during an underwater survey.
- These chimneys range from 1 to over 7m in height.
- Formation Process:
- Groundwater from surrounding aquifers flows through old salt deposits around the Dead Sea basin, dissolving halite (salt) and carrying it as brine.
- Despite being saline, the brine is less dense than the Dead Sea water due to its high salinity, causing it to rise as a plume from the lake bed.
- When this brine contacts the colder Dead Sea water, it rapidly crystallizes, forming chimney structures that can grow several centimeters in height each day.
Potential Role in Sinkhole Forecasting
- Thousands of sinkholes have appeared near the Dead Sea in recent decades; understanding chimney formation may aid in preventing future collapses in vulnerable areas.
- Researchers have linked the formation of salt chimneys to underground cavities, which are often the precursors to sinkholes.
- The location of these chimneys may help predict areas at high risk for sinkhole formation, offering a way to monitor and mitigate potential hazards.
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