• What is the Dead Sea?
    • The Dead Sea is a large salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel to the west. It is known for its high salinity, unique geological features, and historical significance.
  • What is the surface elevation of the Dead Sea?
    • The surface elevation of the Dead Sea is 1,412 feet (430.5 m) below sea level, making it the lowest point on Earth's surface.
  • How large is the Dead Sea?
    • The Dead Sea has a maximum length of 31 miles (50 km) and a maximum width of 9.3 miles (15 km). It covers a total surface area of 234 square miles (605 km²).
  • What is the depth of the Dead Sea?
    • The Dead Sea has an average depth of 653 feet (199 m), with a shoreline stretching approximately 84 miles (135 km).
  • What is the primary water source of the Dead Sea?
    • The primary tributary of the Dead Sea is the Jordan River, which flows from the north into the lake.

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1. Dead Sea Facts and Elevation

Dead Sea Facts and Elevation

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  • Why is the Dead Sea so salty?
    • The Dead Sea has an extreme salinity level of 34.2%, making it one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth. This high salinity prevents plants and aquatic animals from surviving in its waters.
  • Why do people float in the Dead Sea?
    • Due to its high salinity, the water is extremely dense, allowing people to float effortlessly on its surface without needing to swim.
  • What is the historical significance of the Dead Sea?
    • The Dead Sea has been an iconic landmark for centuries, dating back to the time of King Herod, who established it as the world’s first health resort more than 2,000 years ago. Its salts and minerals have been used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes for millennia.
  • What environmental challenges does the Dead Sea face?
    • The Dead Sea is currently experiencing a significant decline in water levels due to reduced inflows from the Jordan River and increasing mineral extraction. Conservation efforts are being explored to refill and preserve the lake.

2. Elevation of Dead Sea

Elevation of Dead Sea

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  • What is elevation?
    • Elevation is an important geographical term that refers to the height of a location in relation to sea level. It is most commonly measured in feet or meters and used for key locations around the globe like towns, cities, mountains, and more.
  • Are most locations on Earth above or below sea level?
    • Elevation has a variety of uses and effects, and most points of elevation around Earth are above sea level, but some rare locations are technically below sea level. The Dead Sea is one of those rare cases, and is actually the lowest point on the planet, several hundred feet lower than the next lowest point.
  • What is the elevation of the Dead Sea?
    • The surface elevation of the Dead Sea is 1,412 feet (430.5 m) below sea level. Its lowest point, at its maximum depth, has an elevation of 2,388.5 feet (728 m) below sea level.
  • What other low points are found near the Dead Sea?
    • The Jordan Valley, which houses the Dead Sea, is filled with many other extremely low points. Some examples include Neot HaKikar, a settlement in Israel, south of the Dead Sea, which has an elevation of 1,132 feet (345 m) below sea level and the city of Jericho, located in the West Bank at an elevation of 846 feet (258 m) below sea level, making it the lowest city on Earth.
  • What are some other major low points around the globe?
    • Other low points in the area include the Sea of Galilee, which has an elevation of 702 feet (214 m) below sea level and the Israeli city of Tiberias, which has an elevation of 679 feet (207 m) below sea level.
    • Other major low points around the globe include Lake Assal in Djibouti, which is the lowest point in Africa with an elevation of 502 feet (153 m) below sea level; Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, which has an elevation of 92 feet (28 m) below sea level and is the lowest point in Europe; and Badwater Basin, which is situated in Death Valley, California and has an elevation of 279 feet (85 m) below sea level, making it the lowest point in North America.

3. Elevation and Climate of the Dead Sea

Elevation and Climate of the Dead Sea

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  • How does the elevation of the Dead Sea affect its climate?
    • The Dead Sea's extremely low elevation plays a part in its climate, which features almost constant sunshine and dry conditions.
  • What are the temperatures like at the Dead Sea during the hottest months?
    • Temperatures at the Dead Sea can often exceed 100°F (38°C) in the hottest months of the year. July is the hottest month of all, with average highs of 104°F (40°C) and lows of 85°F (30°C).
  • What is the coldest month of the year at the Dead Sea?
    • The coldest month of the year is January, which has average highs of 69°F (20°C) and average lows of 55°F (5°C).
  • What is the water temperature like at the Dead Sea during winter?
    • The waters of the Dead Sea are actually warmer than the land temperatures during the winter months.
  • How much rainfall does the Dead Sea area receive?
    • The area sees just 1.65 inches of rain per year with an average of 15 days of precipitation and humidity ratings ranging from 20% to 40%.

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