Geology topics

Research about Dead Sea

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Dead Sea.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2012

Modeling radium distribution in coastal aquifers during sea level changes: The Dead Sea case

We present a new approach to studying the behavior of radium isotopes in a coastal aquifer. In order to simulate radium isotope distributions in the dynamic flow field of the Dead Sea aquifer, a multi-species density dependent flow model (SUTRA-MS) was used. Field data show that the activity of 226 Ra decreases from 140 to 60 dpm/L upon entering the aquifer from the Dead Sea, and then further decreases linearly due to mixing with Ra-poor fresh water. On the other hand, an increase is observed in the activity of the shorter-lived isotopes (up to 52 dpm/L 224 Ra and 31 dpm/L 223 Ra), which are relatively low in Dead Sea water (up to 2.5 dpm/L 224 Ra and 0.5 dpm/L 223 Ra). The activities of the short lived radium isotopes also decrease with decreasing salinity, which is due to the effect of salinity on the adsorption of radium. The relationship between 224 Ra and salinity suggests that the adsorption partition coefficient ( K ) is linearly related to salinity. Simulations of the steady-state conditions, show that the distance where equilibrium activity is attained for each radium isotope is affected by the isotope half-life, K and the groundwater velocity, resulting in a longer distance for the long-lived radium isotopes. K affects the radium distribution in transient conditions, especially that of the long-lived radium isotopes. The transient conditions in the Dead Sea system, with a 1 m/yr lake level drop, together with the radium field data, constrains K to be relatively low (<10). Thus, the sharp decrease in 226 Ra cannot be explained by adsorption, and it is better explained by removal via coprecipitation, probably with barite or celestine.

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USGS2011

Shallow lithological structure across the Dead Sea Transform derived from geophysical experiments

In the framework of the DEad SEa Rift Transect (DESERT) project a 150 km magnetotelluric profile consisting of 154 sites was carried out across the Dead Sea Transform. The resistivity model presented shows conductive structures in the western section of the study area terminating abruptly at the Arava Fault. For a more detailed analysis we performed a joint interpretation of the resistivity model with a P wave velocity model from a partially coincident seismic experiment. The technique used is a statistical correlation of resistivity and velocity values in parameter space. Regions of high probability of a coexisting pair of values for the two parameters are mapped back into the spatial domain, illustrating the geographical location of lithological classes. In this study, four regions of enhanced probability have been identified, and are remapped as four lithological classes. This technique confirms the Arava Fault marks the boundary of a highly conductive lithological class down to a depth of ∼3 km. That the fault acts as an impermeable barrier to fluid flow is unusual for large fault zone, which often exhibit a fault zone characterized by high conductivity and low seismic velocity. At greater depths it is possible to resolve the Precambrian basement into two classes characterized by vastly different resistivity values but similar seismic velocities. The boundary between these classes is approximately coincident with the Al Quweira Fault, with higher resistivities observed east of the fault. This is interpreted as evidence for the original deformation along the DST originally taking place at the Al Quweira Fault, before being shifted to the Arava Fault.

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USGS2007

The Northern end of the Dead Sea Basin: Geometry from reflection seismic evidence

Recently released reflection seismic lines from the Eastern side of the Jordan River north of the Dead Sea were interpreted by using borehole data and incorporated with the previously published seismic lines of the eastern side of the Jordan River. For the first time, the lines from the eastern side of the Jordan River were combined with the published reflection seismic lines from the western side of the Jordan River. In the complete cross sections, the inner deep basin is strongly asymmetric toward the Jericho Fault supporting the interpretation of this segment of the fault as the long-lived and presently active part of the Dead Sea Transform. There is no indication for a shift of the depocenter toward a hypothetical eastern major fault with time, as recently suggested. Rather, the north-eastern margin of the deep basin takes the form of a large flexure, modestly faulted. In the N-S-section along its depocenter, the floor of the basin at its northern end appears to deepen continuously by roughly 0.5??km over 10??km distance, without evidence of a transverse fault. The asymmetric and gently-dipping shape of the basin can be explained by models in which the basin is located outside the area of overlap between en-echelon strike-slip faults. ?? 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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USGS1999

Anatomy of the Dead Sea transform: Does it reflect continuous changes in plate motion?

A new gravity map of the southern half of the Dead Sea transform offers the first regional view of the anatomy of this plate boundary. Interpreted together with auxiliary seismic and well data, the map reveals a string of subsurface basins of widely varying size, shape, and depth along the plate boundary and relatively short (25–55 km) and discontinuous fault segments. We argue that this structure is a result of continuous small changes in relative plate motion. However, several segments must have ruptured simultaneously to produce the inferred maximum magnitude of historical earthquakes.

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USGS1978

Recent and projected changes in Dead Sea level and effects on mineral production from the sea

Hydrologic data for the Dead Sea area were reviewed to assess the probable magnitude and rate of change of the water level of the Dead Sea. Historical average annual Dead Sea levels range from a minimum of 399.4 meters below sea level in about 1818 to a maximum of 388.6 meters below in 1896. Present levels are rapidly approaching the historical low. There is a close correlation between Dead Sea level and accumulated departure from the mean of long-term rainfall except for the most recent period since 1964. During that period rainfall has been near the long-term average but water levels have continued to decline, in part due to abstractions for irrigation in the Jordan River basin. The dissolved-solids concentration of Dead Sea water presently is approximately 322,000 milligrams per liter and is generally well mixed throughout. This concentration is at the saturation level, resulting in continuous precipitation of some salts. The increase in dissolved solids to the present high concentration has resulted in an evaporation rate less than that estimated in previous reports. Evaporation rate from the North Basin is estimated at 1,310 millimeters per year at present. The evaporation rate from the South Basin was not estimated due to extensive existing or planned modifications for mineral production facilities. Water budget computations were performed at various inflow rates in order to project water-level changes for 50 years. Computations assumed closure of the South Basin by existing and proposed mineral extraction facilities. The projected 50-year changes ranged from a decline of 51 meters with no inflow from any sources to a rise of 10.2 meters when average annual inflow from the Jordan River was 750 cubic hectometers. An average annual inflow to the Sea of 900 cubic hectometers from all sources is required to stabilize the Sea at the present level. Principal impact of declining water levels on proposed potash production facilities in Jordan would be an increase in power requirements. A cursory review of a proposed plan to divert water from the Mediterranean Sea into the Dead Sea to generate electric power and stabilize water levels indicates a very limited impact on chemical, physical, and ecological characteristics of the Dead Sea in the near future. Water-budget computations indicate that if all but 200 cubic hectometers of tributaries' waters were utilized for irrigation and other purposes, a maximum diversion of 700 cubic hectometers per year into the Dead Sea would be possible without significantly raising long-term average water levels.

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