Israeli, European researchers discover world's deepest salt cave near Dead Sea

JERUSALEM, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli and European researchers have discovered the world's deepest salt cave, with a depth of at least 10 kilometers, near the Dead Sea, said a report issued Thursday by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The researchers re-measured the 7,000-year-old Malham cave, near the Dead Sea in southeastern Israel, and found that it is much longer than 5.5 kilometers as previously thought.

Thus, the Israeli cave bypasses Iran's cave of the Three Nudes (3N) on Qeshm Island, which since 2006 has been considered the world's deepest salt cave with a depth of 6.58 kilometers.

Salt caves are formed mainly in desert areas by salt outcrops, with the help of rainwater. When it rains, water flows through cracks and creates semi-horizontal channels along the way. After all the rainwater drains out, "river beds" remain and salt caves are formed.

Following rainfall at Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea (the lowest place in the world), water from a surface stream flowed underground and dissolved the salt, creating caves.

According to the researchers, the mapping was done with laser technology that broadcasts directly to the tablets and smartphones instead of measuring tapes, compasses and clinometers that were used in the past.

The Malham cave consists of several sections, each of which has levels and floors, including vertical shafts, the report said.

The measurement and the mapping were carried out by researchers from the Hebrew University and Israel cave Explorers Club, as well as an international team with members from Bulgaria, France, United Kingdom, Croatia, Romania and Czech Republic.