Along the coast of the Dead Sea Walk

• on the Dead Sea coast Walk

The Dead Sea in Israel - one of the first resorts in the world - is now far from his ideal state, and the level of water has continued to decline. Over the last century the water level in the Dead Sea fell by 25 meters, and to date, the level drops by an average of 1 meter per year.

We walk along the coast of the Dead Sea.

In fact, the Dead Sea - endorheic salt lake between Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan.

Scientists measure the depth of the Dead Sea near the resort of Ein Gedi, Israel, October 20, 2014

The first mention of the name "Dead Sea," found in the writings of the ancient Greek scholar Pausanias, who lived in the II. n. e., one of the first explored its waters. Lake defined in the "dead" in the title, because it was believed that because of the high salt content in it can not live fish or other organisms. In recent years XX - the beginning of XXI century, it found about 70 species of Oomycetes and higher fungi, capable of carrying a maximum salinity of the pond.

Once here, too, it was the sea. Ein Gedi, Israel

There are 3 reasons for environmental disaster:

economical use of water, before flowing into the Dead Sea;

pumping of ground water;

climate change.

In the picture visible floating buoy, which is used by experts to measure the level of the Dead Sea.

The mineralogical composition of salts of the Dead Sea is significantly different from the composition of the salts of other seas. This allowed the Dead Sea to become a unique health resort, created by nature and attracts millions of tourists from all corners of the globe.

Abandoned water park.

The research vessel "Birthright" Israeli Geological Institute. It goes into the sea each month for the study.

The dead trees on the coast of the Dead Sea.

The research vessel "Birthright" Israeli Geological Institute

Old pier. On it is possible to estimate the level of the Black Sea, which was 20 years ago.

Old buoy 1980s.

Abandoned buildings on the south side of the Dead Sea.

Ponds for salt production. Dead Sea - one of the most saline bodies of water on Earth

In addition to the unique composition of salts, the Dead Sea and is known for its healing mud, which is extracted from the bottom of the lake. Famous silt sulphide mud of the Dead Sea is highly mineralized, with a high content of bromine, iodine, hormone-like substances.

Chairs, covered with salt, in the resort of the Dead Sea in Ein Gedi, Israel.