Rare Salt Formations Appear along Great Salt Lake
2020-01-17
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1Scientists have documented rare salt formations for the first time on the shores of the Great Salt Lake in the American state of Utah.
2The formations could lead to better understanding of salt structures found on the planet Mars before they disappear.
3The salt formations are appearing now in part because water levels at the large natural lake have lowered.
4Lack of rain and more demand for water from a growing population have left more shoreline uncovered.
5The expanded shoreline means there are more places where water, warm and rich with the mineral sulfate, can rise to the surface from the springs below.
6When the water hits the cold air, it forms Glauber's salt, also know as mirabilite.
7"It has to be exposed to just the right conditions," park official Allison Thompson told the Associated Press.
8She first saw the salt formations in October.
9The formations have built up over the last several months, eventually creating flat structures formed on top of one another.
10From above, the structures are like a huge complex design laid over the sandy earth.
11An up-close look reveals tall formations gathered together like something out of science fiction.
12There are now four formations at the Great Salt Lake shores, growing up to 1 meter tall and several meters wide.
13Mirabilite formations are seen more often in places with cold temperatures such as the Antarctic.
14There are also signs of similar formations on Mars.
15So, study of the Great Salt Lake formations could offer information on how to examine salts found there.
16Robert Zubrin is president of the Mars Society.
17The group was not involved in studying the Great Salt Lake formations.
18But he agrees they could hold information about whether groundwater or even life was ever supported on Mars.
19Researchers do not have long to study the Great Salt Lake formations.
20As winter turns to spring, warming temperatures mean the salt will not continue to separate out of the water.
21Eventually melting snow will send water into the lake, raising lake levels and likely swallowing up the sites.
22This is part of normal changes with the seasons and cycles of rain, says University of Utah professor Kevin Perry.
23He adds that overall the lake is not covering as much ground as it once did.
24Much of that is due to water being diverted away from rivers that feed the lake for farming and other uses before it reaches the body of water.
25Researchers expect the rare salt formations to be gone by February.
26I'm Pete Musto.
1Scientists have documented rare salt formations for the first time on the shores of the Great Salt Lake in the American state of Utah. The formations could lead to better understanding of salt structures found on the planet Mars before they disappear. 2The salt formations are appearing now in part because water levels at the large natural lake have lowered. Lack of rain and more demand for water from a growing population have left more shoreline uncovered. 3The expanded shoreline means there are more places where water, warm and rich with the mineral sulfate, can rise to the surface from the springs below. When the water hits the cold air, it forms Glauber's salt, also know as mirabilite. 4"It has to be exposed to just the right conditions," park official Allison Thompson told the Associated Press. She first saw the salt formations in October. 5The formations have built up over the last several months, eventually creating flat structures formed on top of one another. From above, the structures are like a huge complex design laid over the sandy earth. An up-close look reveals tall formations gathered together like something out of science fiction. 6There are now four formations at the Great Salt Lake shores, growing up to 1 meter tall and several meters wide. 7Mirabilite formations are seen more often in places with cold temperatures such as the Antarctic. There are also signs of similar formations on Mars. So, study of the Great Salt Lake formations could offer information on how to examine salts found there. 8Robert Zubrin is president of the Mars Society. The group was not involved in studying the Great Salt Lake formations. But he agrees they could hold information about whether groundwater or even life was ever supported on Mars. 9Researchers do not have long to study the Great Salt Lake formations. As winter turns to spring, warming temperatures mean the salt will not continue to separate out of the water. Eventually melting snow will send water into the lake, raising lake levels and likely swallowing up the sites. 10This is part of normal changes with the seasons and cycles of rain, says University of Utah professor Kevin Perry. He adds that overall the lake is not covering as much ground as it once did. Much of that is due to water being diverted away from rivers that feed the lake for farming and other uses before it reaches the body of water. 11Researchers expect the rare salt formations to be gone by February. 12I'm Pete Musto. 13Lindsay Whitehurst reported this story for the Associated Press. Pete Musto adapted it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. 14_____________________________________________________________ 15Words in This Story 16shore(s) - n. the land along the edge of an area of water, such as an ocean or lake 17spring(s) - n. a source of water coming up from the ground 18expose(d) - v. to leave something without covering or protection 19science fiction - n. stories about how people and societies are affected by scientific developments in the future that exist only in your mind or imagination 20cycle(s) - n. a set of events or actions that happen again and again in the same order 21divert(ed) - v. to change the direction or use of something