Earth Science

The Dead Sea is a hypersaline lake that lies in the Jordan Rift Valley, between Jordan to the east, and Israel and the Westbank to the west. Incidentally, if you ever wondered where the disputed territory called The Westbank got its name, it comes from being situated on the west bank of the Jordan River. The Jordan River passes through the Jordan Rift Valley and into the Dead Sea, which lies at the lowest point on Earth. The Dead Sea gets its name from the fact that its extremely high salinity makes it impossible for any almost any organism to survive in its waters. That high salinity is caused by the extreme heat leading to evaporation of the water, aided by the fact that the Dead Sea is endorheic. Endorheic means that it has no outlet for its water, except through evaporation. Its main source of water is the Jordan river which flows south into it, but as the flow of the Jordan river has been decreasing, that means less water coming into the Dead Sea, yet water continues to evaporate. The level of the Dead Sea has decreased significantly over time, and the southern side of the lake has drained and now consists of salt flats. The high salinity and evaporation provide visitors with an experience like something out of a science fiction movie. The salt flats are reminiscent of the moon’s landscape, while the high salinity of the water allows swimmers to float and feel that they are defying gravity. Because of the high concentration of salt, the water is actually denser than the human body, so it is impossible to sink. But plenty of tourists have fun trying! One thing for visitors to be careful of is getting the lake’s water in their eyes. This can be quite painful, and will usually require someone to help you wash your eyes with fresh water. The water’s salt will also penetrate every little crevice or cut on your entire body. If you have shaving cuts, if you bite your nails, if you stubbed your toe, you will be made very aware of it when you enter the water. But that’s part of the fun. The high concentration of minerals in the lake make the muds of the shore have many therapeutic health benefits. It is part of the Dead Sea experience to cover yourself in mud to enjoy its special properties. The water itself also contains the same minerals, so even a dip in the lake itself has health benefits. The Dead Sea is a highlight of any trip to the Middle East, and it is one of those travel experiences you will never forget.

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