Has the bottom of the Dead Sea been explored?

BGU researchers have today that they have discovered deep springs on the floor of the Dead Sea, which provide fresh water to the rapidly dwindling lake. Meanwhile, a parallel study by German researchers has found new forms of life growing around the fissures in the sea floor.



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Dozens of giant craters spewing fresh water and brimming with bacteria have been found at the otherwise barren bottom of the Dead Sea, new research shows.

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While no evidence remains of the five cities of the plain (Zeboim, Admah, Bela or Zoar, Sodom, and Gomorrah) their sites are believed to be beneath the waters at the southern end of the sea. Archaeological sites near the Dead Sea include Masada, Ein Gedi, and Qumran (where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found).

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Fact: You can – and you should. Pads might not be the best option, since they'll absorb water till they're soaked, and could get weighed down or fall out. Plus, they might be visible through your bathing suit. On the other hand, tampons are convenient and safe to use in water.

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No matter what time of year you choose to visit the Dead Sea, it's important to remember that swimming in its waters can be dangerous due to its high salt content and strong currents. Visitors must take safety precautions, such as wearing a life jacket or using a floatation device when swimming in these waters.

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In the Dead Sea area, some people live in little towns and villages such as Jericho, Neve Zohar, and Neot HaLikar; while others live in a mode of settlement unique to Israel – “kibbutzim” (plural of “kibbutz”).

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You can't walk on the water of the Dead Sea. The water is rich in salt and minerals, so it has a silky, thick consistency that will keep you afloat if you're swimming. But the buoyancy is not enough to walk on. You can, however, walk on large slabs of solid salt that form in the water, and along the shore.

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It is not possible to swim in the Dead Sea. But if you try, the water will push you upwards, not letting you sink. As the salinity of the Dead Sea is more than 34% and it is way denser than freshwater, you will float effortlessly. Do not let your head go underwater as this highly salty water is dangerous to your eyes.

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The minerals of the Dead Sea are thought to have healing properties. The Dead Sea is actually not a sea, but a salty lake. The Dead Sea is shrinking every year and it's half the size it was a century ago.

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Water levels are falling at an average rate of three feet per year. According to a recent Israeli government study, the rate of evaporation will slow and the Dead Sea will reach equilibrium again in a few decades—but not before losing another third of its present volume. Such a scenario represents an immeasurable loss.

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In the water The Dead Sea temporarily comes to life in the wake of rainy winters. In 1980, after one such rainy winter, the normally dark blue Dead Sea turned red. Researchers from Hebrew University of Jerusalem found the Dead Sea to be teeming with an alga called Dunaliella.

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Don't Splash or Dive The water is so salty that literally nothing can survive in it. That's why it's called the Dead Sea. So you want to be sure to avoid the water getting in your eyes or nose at all costs.

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Most people don't drown in it; they trip, fall and swallow the water. The water's high sodium concentration disrupts the body's sodium balance, especially the calcium, magnesium and phosphorus levels, he continued. At the same time, it causes a pulmonary disorder, reminiscent of pneumonia.

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Entering the Dead Sea: Be extremely careful not to get the water in your eyes, ears, nose, or mouth. If you do, have a friend lead you to the fresh water showers commonplace at public beaches. Do not put your head underwater; floating on your back is preferable in order to avoid this.

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