Ölüdeniz, Turkey - November 14, 2024 Researchers have unveiled a breathtaking discovery at the bottom of the Dead Sea: towering white chimneys discharging saline fluid, reminiscent of deep-sea black smokers. This unprecedented find could revolutionize the understanding of geological activity in this ancient body of water bordered by Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank. For decades, the Dead Sea has been in crisis, its water level dropping by roughly one meter per year due to blocked tributaries and intense evaporation. The plummeting water levels have strained groundwater resources, impacting nearby countries’ access. Dr. Christian Siebert, a hydrogeologist at UFZ, has spearheaded research into how these changes are reshaping groundwater pathways beneath the sea. It was his team of divers who made the groundbreaking discovery of the vent-like structures on the lake floor. “These chimneys bear a striking resemblance to black smokers in the deep sea, but the system here is completely different,” said Siebert. Unlike the deep-sea counterparts that emit sulphide-rich hot water, the Dead Sea’s white smokers release highly saline groundwater. This water comes from nearby aquifers, leaching ancient rock layers composed of halite, which crystallizes when exposed to lake water, forming the chimneys. Some of these dazzling structures are over seven meters tall and several meters in diameter, growing by several centimeters a day. Traces of cosmic radioisotope 36Cl and freshwater microbes in the saline jets indicate the groundwater's origin in nearby aquifers. These white smokers are more than a geological curiosity—they are a potential lifeline for understanding and predicting dangerous sinkholes. Thousands of sinkholes have appeared along the Dead Sea’s shores in recent decades, forming when underground salt layers dissolve, leaving voids that collapse unpredictably. “The white smokers could serve as an early warning system for sinkholes,” explained Siebert. The team’s findings suggest that mapping these chimneys with advanced sonar could pinpoint areas at risk of collapse, offering an unprecedented tool for safeguarding land and infrastructure. The discovery of these unique white smokers marks a vital step in monitoring and mitigating the geological hazards posed by the rapidly declining Dead Sea.