Dead Sea (IMAGE) Geological Society of America Caption Aerial photograph of the Dead Sea western shore. Parallel paleo shorelines show the intense water level drop (currently about 1 m per year). Salt (halite) actively precipitating from the water column gives this light blue color to the lake. Credit Photography courtesy of the International Continental scientific Drilling Program. Usage Restrictions Photography courtesy of the International Continental scientific Drilling Program. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.