The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea has many names in Hebrew it is known as Yam Ha-Melah (The Salt Sea) in Arabic it is called Al-Bahr Al Mayyit (Sea of Death), and at one time it has was called the Sea of Sodom, referring to the destruction found in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. By any name, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. It’s surrounded by the stunning landscape of the Negev Desert and sits between Israel on the West and Jordon directly to the East. The shores of the Dead Sea are the lowest point on the surface of the earth. The saline water of the lake means no fish can survive in the salty waters, hence the name. The other result of the salty water is its renowned health and healing properties of the mud. You can also float naturally in them. 

For your technical types (yes I am one of them as well), the lake is 1,412 Ft below sea level making it the lowest land-based elevation on Earth. At its deepest, the lake goes down another 997 Ft, and salinity of 34.2% equates to 280 Parts per thousand. This makes it about eight times saltier than average seawater which is 35 PPT.  Now, don’t you feel smart…

Unfortunately, the Dead Sea is rapidly disappearing, beginning in the 1960s, water inflow to the Dead Sea from the Jordan River was reduced as a result of large-scale irrigation and generally low rainfall. The Dead Sea is receding at a swift rate; its surface area today is 234 sq mi, having been 410 sq mi less than 90 years ago. This recession of the sea is causing all types of problems including potholes gobbling up buildings, resorts, and roadways not to mention the loss of economic activity from the mining of minerals and salts. Recently, the Israeli Government working with the Jordanian Government has forged what is known as the Red-Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance pipeline project that would pump in water from the Red Sea to help stabilize its level without impacting the salinity.

Now you should feel extra smart….

Historically, dwelling in caves near the Dead Sea is recorded in the Old Testament as having taken place before the Israelites came to the Land of Canaan and extensively at the time of King David. Just northwest of the Dead Sea is the City of Jericho, the oldest continuous city on the planet.  Somewhere, perhaps on the southeastern shore, would be the cities mentioned in the Book of Genesis which were said to have been destroyed in the time of Abraham the city of Sodom and Gomorra. Being here is seeing the Bible come to life right before your eyes. 

Now, are you ready for school to be out, I am, so let’s discuss the fun part. As I said above, you float in the Dead Sea and all of us did. Now I can’t tell you that the water was refreshing, it may have been because the air temperature hit 105 degrees that day, but I don’t think that was the sole issue. It is hard to describe, but the water feels thick and almost oily, but it is not. The best part was watching all the people who had shaved that day or had a scratch on their skin. I hate to find humor in someone’s pain, but then again as my wife and I say from time to time, stupid should hurt, and here it actually does!

Lastly, it is alleged that the mud from the Dead Sea has healing properties, so people buy bags and bags of mud and spread it on their bodies, head to toe. For $30 you get about two cups of mud in a plastic bag and it takes several bags if not more depending on size to cover your body. Whoever thought of that is a marketing genius!!!