In a surprising development, scientists have recently identified an enormous freshwater reservoir concealed under Utah’s iconic Great Salt Lake. This remarkable discovery could hold significant implications for the future water resources in the region amid increasingly strained supplies due to climate change.
The findings of this investigation, led by researchers from the University of Utah, were published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. Utilising varied geophysical methods such as seismic reflection profiling and magnetotelluric imaging, they could simulate a detailed geographical layout of the areas beneath the lake.
Highlighting the magnitude of the discovery, Dr. Michaela Rikard, senior researcher on the project, stated, “The volume of this water reservoir would potentially fulfill water requirements for the entire Wasatch Front for years.” The Wasatch Front is the most densely populated area in Utah, home to around 80% of the state’s population.
Images generated by geophysical methods depict an ‘aquifer system’ trapped beneath clay and sediment layers within the lake bed, extending down to several kilometres below the surface. The water extends ten kilometres to the eastern and western shores of the Great Salt Lake, making it an enormous reserve.
As per the researchers, this water system likely began as an ancient lake, believed to be the precursor to the present Great Salt Lake. Over generations, the lake’s water may have seeped into the underlying sediments, creating this hidden reserve. This hypothesis supports the interpretation that the ancient lake, called Lake Bonneville, was once much larger and deeper than the modern-day Great Salt Lake.
The discovery’s timing is particularly relevant given the drought occurring throughout Utah, leading to the current Great Salt Lake seeing its lowest level on record this summer. Furthermore, the increasing influence of climate change on water supplies is a matter of global concern.
However, despite this potentially significant discovery, a major obstacle lies in accessing and extracting the water sustainably. Dr. Hyunwoo Lee, another senior researcher on the project, commented, “Extracting the water could be technically challenging and expensive. Additionally, it could cause ground subsidence, or decreasing lake levels could increase the reservoir’s salinity, making it unfit for consumption.”
While some have expressed hopes that the discovery will contribute to Utah’s emergency drought solutions, scientists caution that more study is needed. “Our work up to this point has allowed us to image and quantify the fresh water, but it is essential to better understand the system’s behavior: how it can be replenished and how fast it would deplete if accessed,” stated Rikard.
The University researchers are now planning to collaborate with state authorities to explore sustainable utilization of this newfound water source.
This research has garnered attention within the scientific community and across the media landscape. Not only does it hold potential significance for water sustainability in Utah, but it also prompts broader discussions on additional hidden water reserves in other similar geological settings.
In summary, while this discovery is promising, there is a complex technical and environmental roadmap ahead before this hidden water resource could potentially be harnessed. Still, researchers remain optimistic, viewing this as a watershed moment that could revolutionalize our understanding of fresh water’s underground distribution and preservation.
Original Source: https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/rivers-oceans/scientists-discover-potentially-huge-freshwater-reservoir-hidden-beneath-great-salt-lake
