Geophysical Prediction and Following Analysis of the Dead Sea Sinkhole Development Through the Ein Gedi – Arugot Area

Geophysical methods - Seismic refraction (SRFR), Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and Microgravity were applied to the Dead Sea (DS) sinkhole problem in the Ein Gedi - Wadi Arugot area during the earlier stage of the sinkhole development (1998-2002). They allowed to determine the sinkhole formation mechanism and localize the sinkhole hazardous zones. Following monitoring of the sinkhole development confirmed our suggestions. The numerous boreholes drilling by the Geological Survey of Israel verified the location of the salt edge. The GIS database testifies that during 2003-2009 new sinkholes developed along the salt edge within a narrow 50-70m wide strip oriented approximately in north-south direction (slightly parallel to the shoreline). No promotion in west-east direction (normally to the DS shoreline) was observed. Collapse of sinkholes and their clustering have been occurred within the area of high resistivity anomaly and negative residual gravity anomaly.