What is a famous fact about the Dead Sea?

The Dead Sea is one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth, with almost 10 times more salt than ordinary seawater. This is because water flows into the Dead Sea from one main tributary, the River Jordan. It then has no way to get out of the lake and so is forced to evaporate.



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Facts you do not know about the Dead Sea... one of the strangest natural wonders in the world
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The Dead Sea is considered the world's most ancient spa, and modern science proves why: it is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world, with 34% salinity – making it nearly 9 times saltier than regular ocean water.

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The Dead Sea has so much salt in it that only microbes (microscopic organisms) are able to live in it. Its salt content is about seven times that of the ocean. The Dead Sea is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) long and 10 miles (16 kilometers) wide.

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About 3 million years ago, water filled the graben, forming the Dead Sea, which was then part of a long bay of the Mediterranean Sea. A million years later, tectonic activity lifted the land to the west, isolating the Dead Sea from the Mediterranean.

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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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Aside for some microorganisms and algae, this salt water lake is completely devoid of life. There's no seaweed, fish or any other creatures found in or around its turquoise waters. Find out more with these interesting facts about the Dead Sea. 1.

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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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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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Go swimming in designated areas only The reason you should swim in a designated area is so that there are life guards on duty. On the plus side, there are no sharks or other nasties to worry about. Nothing lives in the Dead Sea except for small micro organisms.

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Because of the lake's extremely low elevation and sheltered location, winter temperatures are mild, averaging 63 °F (17 °C) in January at the southern end at Sedom and 58 °F (14 °C) at the northern end; freezing temperatures do not occur.

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The high salt content will burn if it gets into the eyes. ? Don't drink the water. ? Wear an old bathing suit; the water content will cause your swimsuit to fade in color. ? The recommended amount of time to swim in the Dead Sea is 20 minutes or less; staying too long can cause dehydration.

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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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Scientists believe that the Dead Sea will never disappear entirely, but 2050 will be the tipping point when the Dead Sea will be so salty that the salt will block water from evaporating, leaving a small pool of slimy sludge.

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The Dead Sea is fed mainly by the Jordan River, which enters the lake from the north. Several smaller streams also enter the sea, chiefly from the east. The lake has no outlet, and the heavy inflow of fresh water is carried off solely by evaporation, which is rapid in the hot desert climate.

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As the lake dries up, salt deposits dissolve underground, and cavities along the shore open up into sinkholes — large craters in the earth. One popular beach was closed because a sinkhole swallowed up the parking lot. The shore remains eerily littered with beach chairs, a mini barbecue set and an abandoned bar.

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