SCIENTISTS UNCOVER THE SECRET OF “SALT SNOW” IN THE DEAD SEA

Scientists have unraveled the mystery of “salt snow” in the Dead Sea, revealing that crystals fall out of the water not only in winter, but also in summer. This discovery explains the formation of unique salt structures and provides a key to understanding ancient geological processes.

The Dead Sea, located at the lowest point on Earth and famous for its record-high salinity, has surprised scientists once again. An international team of researchers has explained how so-called “salt snow”—halite crystals that form unique underwater structures—precipitates in the body of water.

According to Eckart Meiburg, a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, the Dead Sea is the only place on the planet where you can observe the formation of massive salt deposits in real time. While such structures have long since formed in the Mediterranean and Red Seas, here the crystallization continues today.

Evaporation plays a key role, as it is the only way water can leave the lake, leaving salt behind. In the 20th century, the restriction of the Jordan River’s inflow accelerated the drop in water levels, intensifying the salt concentration. As a result, in 2019, scientists recorded “salt snow” falling in the summer for the first time—an event that had previously only occurred in winter.

This phenomenon is explained by double diffusion, where warm, salty water from the upper layer sinks while colder water rises, leading to the formation of crystals even in the hot season.

This discovery not only provides a deeper understanding of how gigantic salt structures formed in the past—for example, during the Messinian Salinity Crisis in the Mediterranean Sea more than 5 million years ago—but also helps assess the stability of coastal zones in arid regions today.