Mysterious 'White Smokers' Erupt from Dead Sea Floor

Scientists have discovered towering salt chimneys, called "white smokers," on the Dead Sea floor. These formations offer clues to geological processes and may help predict sinkholes.

Mysterious "white smokers" have been discovered at the bottom of the Dead Sea, spewing shimmering liquid in a phenomenon reminiscent of black smokers found in the deep ocean. Coordinated by the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), this interdisciplinary research project unveiled meter-high chimneys formed by halite crystallization. These structures not only offer a glimpse into unique geological processes but also serve as a critical early warning system for sinkhole prediction. Published in Science of the Total Environment, the findings are reshaping our understanding of Dead Sea geology and environmental dynamics.

Towering white smokers, also known as salt chimneys, discovered on the Dead Sea floor.

What Are Salt Chimneys

Salt chimneys are vertical formations created by the crystallization of halite, or rock salt, from the hypersaline waters of the Dead Sea. Unlike deep-sea black smokers, which discharge hot, mineral-rich fluids, white smokers expel dense, shimmering brine. These structures vary in size, with some reaching over seven meters in height and three meters in diameter, although certain formations stretch as tall as 23 feet (7 meters) and span 10 feet (3 meters) in diameter. The chimneys grow at a rapid rate, increasing several centimeters daily as salts crystallize upon contact with the briny water.

This discovery marks the first documented instance of such formations, presenting a new and intriguing geological phenomenon in one of Earth’s most extreme environments.

How Do These Salt Chimneys Form

The formation of these salt chimneys involves a fascinating interplay between groundwater, ancient salt deposits, and the unique hypersaline environment of the Dead Sea:

• Groundwater Dissolution: Groundwater from surrounding aquifers percolates through the lakebed and dissolves ancient halite (salt) deposits.
• Brine Ascent: This creates a dense brine that is nevertheless slightly less dense than the Dead Sea water, causing it to rise and emerge as jets from the lake floor.
• Rapid Crystallization: As the rising brine contacts the hypersaline Dead Sea water, the dissolved salts rapidly precipitate out of solution, crystallizing and building the chimney structures over time.

Analysis of the brine has revealed traces of chlorine-36, a rare isotope, and freshwater microbes. These findings confirm the brine's origin in the regional aquifers and provide further insights into the complex hydrological processes at play.

The Changing Dead Sea

The Dead Sea, located at Earth’s lowest point—438 meters below sea level—has been undergoing dramatic environmental changes. Over the last five decades, water levels have dropped by about one meter annually, largely due to upstream water diversion, evaporation, and regional droughts. This decline in water levels has exposed salt layers, further intensifying processes like chimney formation and sinkhole development.

As groundwater from aquifers seeks new pathways in response to the falling water levels, it alters the dynamics of salt dissolution, creating the conditions for these remarkable formations to emerge. These changes underscore the importance of understanding the evolving ecosystem of the Dead Sea, especially given its role in water resources for the region.

Salt Chimneys and Sinkhole Prediction

Sinkholes have become a growing hazard around the Dead Sea. These massive craters, some as large as 100 meters in diameter and 20 meters deep, have caused damage to infrastructure and agricultural land, posing significant risks to local communities. Sinkholes form when subterranean salt layers dissolve, causing the ground to collapse.

The discovery of the salt chimneys has important implications for sinkhole prediction. The chimneys are closely linked to karstic activity—the process that drives the formation of sinkholes. By mapping the locations of these chimneys using advanced sonar technology, researchers can identify areas at high risk for sinkhole development, providing a valuable tool for proactive risk management. 

Submarine Salt Chimneys, White Smoker Hydrothermal Vents, Dead Sea.

A Collaborative Scientific Effort

This breakthrough was the result of an interdisciplinary collaboration involving geologists, hydrologists, chemists, microbiologists, and remote sensing experts from ten different institutions. The team used cutting-edge technologies, such as multibeam echosounders and side-scanning sonar, to map the underwater chimneys with remarkable precision.

Key findings include:

• Isotope Analysis: The detection of chlorine-36, a rare isotope, confirmed that the brine has a deep terrestrial origin.
• Microbial Studies: The discovery of freshwater microbes in the chimney water supports the link between the chimneys and local aquifers.

These insights highlight the chimneys' role as indicators of subsurface processes, with broader implications for geophysical research.

Global Perspective Beyond the Dead Sea

The discovery of salt chimneys in the Dead Sea is not confined to this unique locale; it opens up numerous avenues for research that extend well beyond this single location. This finding offers insights into extreme hypersaline ecosystems worldwide, providing a model for understanding climate-driven environmental changes. The rapid shifts observed in the Dead Sea could offer valuable lessons for other vulnerable ecosystems facing similar challenges. Moreover, this study has implications for understanding geological processes on extraterrestrial bodies, where similar salt dynamics might be at play.

Here's how this discovery resonates on a global scale:

Hypersaline Systems: The presence of similar formations in other extreme environments, such as salt flats and evaporative basins, could provide opportunities for comparative studies. This could enhance our understanding of how salt crystallization occurs under different conditions across the planet.

Extraterrestrial Insights: The findings could be pivotal for research into brine dynamics on extraterrestrial bodies like Mars or Europa. These bodies are suspected to harbor subsurface water and salt interactions, which could inform us about potential habitability or geological activity elsewhere in our solar system.

Climate Change Studies: The Dead Sea's environmental changes serve as a microcosm for studying the impacts of climate change. By observing these rapid shifts, scientists can model and predict how other ecosystems might respond to climate-induced stressors, offering a blueprint for managing environmental challenges globally.

In essence, the study of Dead Sea salt chimneys transcends regional boundaries, providing a broader framework for understanding extreme environmental dynamics, both on Earth and potentially beyond.

The discovery of the Dead Sea’s salt chimneys underscores the resilience and complexity of nature in extreme environments. These awe-inspiring formations not only shed light on the geological processes of one of the world’s most unique ecosystems but also provide valuable tools for predicting sinkholes and managing water resources in a region facing increasing environmental challenges.