Sinkhole formations in the former Dead Sea lakebed

Aerial photo of the former lake bottom of the Dead Sea, taken from 150 m altitude by a ground controlled Helium balloon. The regression of the water leaves an extensive mud-flat and a lot of salt. An increasing sinkhole development occurs in this area due to dissolution processes in the underground. On the image one can distinguish a fresh-water source, a recent canyon and ellipsoid sinkhole structures with varying colors due to the composition of the water. Reddish colors indicate iron oxides, greenish reflect under-saturated water and whitish are the margins of sinkholes formerly filled by salt-water. At the lower margin the balloon holding person and the cord can be seen. Aerial photo analysis enables the development of detailed, high-resolution topographic models and change detection, which helps to better understand background processes and formation of such natural sinkhole phenomena and to develop a hazard assessment for the region.