Sinkholes on receding Dead Sea shore mark 'nature's revenge' - in pictures

  • People walking on salt between evaporation ponds in the southern Dead Sea, where sodium chloride and potassium salts are produced by Dead Sea Works factories, near the Israeli Neve Zohar resort. All photos: AFP
    People walking on salt between evaporation ponds in the southern Dead Sea, where sodium chloride and potassium salts are produced by Dead Sea Works factories, near the Israeli Neve Zohar resort. All photos: AFP
  • Patterns formed by crystalised minerals on the surface of evaporation ponds in the Dead Sea, near the southern Israeli moshav of Ein Tamar. The water recedes about a metre every year, leaving behind a lunar-like landscape whitened by salt and perforated with gaping holes.
    Patterns formed by crystalised minerals on the surface of evaporation ponds in the Dead Sea, near the southern Israeli moshav of Ein Tamar. The water recedes about a metre every year, leaving behind a lunar-like landscape whitened by salt and perforated with gaping holes.
  • Men take a dip in a sinkhole on the shore near the Mitzpe Shalem settlement in the occupied West Bank.
    Men take a dip in a sinkhole on the shore near the Mitzpe Shalem settlement in the occupied West Bank.
  • Near Ein Gedi, sinkholes formed as a result of a drop in the water level in the Dead Sea.
    Near Ein Gedi, sinkholes formed as a result of a drop in the water level in the Dead Sea.
  • Ittai Gavrieli of the Israel Geological Institute says the shores of the Dead Sea are pockmarked with thousands of sinkholes.
    Ittai Gavrieli of the Israel Geological Institute says the shores of the Dead Sea are pockmarked with thousands of sinkholes.
  • An aerial view of the abandoned Ein Gedi resort that was destroyed by the formation of sinkholes as the Dead Sea water level dropped.
    An aerial view of the abandoned Ein Gedi resort that was destroyed by the formation of sinkholes as the Dead Sea water level dropped.
  • A dilapidated parking lot at the Ein Gedi resort in Israel, abandoned because of the destruction caused by sinkholes.
    A dilapidated parking lot at the Ein Gedi resort in Israel, abandoned because of the destruction caused by sinkholes.
  • A damaged road at the abandoned Ein Gedi resort.
    A damaged road at the abandoned Ein Gedi resort.
  • The abandoned mineral resort at the Mitzpe Shalem settlement in the occupied West Bank.
    The abandoned mineral resort at the Mitzpe Shalem settlement in the occupied West Bank.
  • The Araba river crosses a salt pan and area of dried-up sea bed created by the receding waters of the Dead Sea.
    The Araba river crosses a salt pan and area of dried-up sea bed created by the receding waters of the Dead Sea.
  • Dead Sea Works factories and evaporation ponds in the Ein Tamar area in the southern Dead Sea.
    Dead Sea Works factories and evaporation ponds in the Ein Tamar area in the southern Dead Sea.