Matthew Threadgold

The geometric patterns on dry, salty lake beds are generated by convection of high- and low-salinity water underground, according to simulations and observations. Read go.aps.org/3lYRGnT @janalasser @TLS_Queen @MarcelErnst91 @MattThreadgold @GilesWiggs

The flow is visualised using the salinity on the side faces and the salinity flux to the surface. Despite only modelling fluid dynamics, our results show strikingly similar patterns to those observed in the field. For more details: arxiv.org/abs/1902.03600. #LIFDECRImg22

If evaporation is sufficiently strong, salt lakes dry up to leave a salt crust at the surface. Subsurface fluid is forced upward by evaporation and downward by buoyancy, leading to the formation of a beautiful network of convection patterns, as shown in the image. #LIFDECRImg22