Page 38 - Holyland Magazine - 2016 Edition
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The Dead Sea has served as the upwards into geological towers and cliffs The Dead Sea is also surrounded by mineral-
backdrop to some unforgettable such as Mount Sodom. The place is exactly rich mud that was deposited by desert runoff
events on the stage of world history: where the story of Sodom and Gomorrah streams flowing into the Dead Sea around
the patriarch Abraham fought a war, happened. 10,000 years ago. This gray black mud
David hid from King Saul, the prophet contains silicon, calcium, magnesium, iron,
Ezekiel had visions, the story of Masada The lake shrunk over the course of the years, potassium, sodium, and titanium oxides as
happened nearby, and Jesus was baptized and it became a smaller lake, the Dead Sea well as several other compounds in smaller
by John the Baptist. that we know now. quantities.
And he said to me, “This water flows toward Some Facts and Minerals: The unique mineral content of the Dead
the eastern region and goes down into the Sea water and mud is one of the reasons it
Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water The Dead Sea is 306 m (1,004 ft) deep, has been known as a center for health and
flows into the sea, the water will become making it the deepest hypersaline lake in the relaxation since antiquity.
fresh" Ezekiel 47:8. world.
Come visit the Dead Sea, where it all
About two million years ago, the The Dead Sea’s mineral content is nothing happened. A typical tour should include:
Mediterranean Sea stopped flowing in like the mineral content of ocean water. Not 1. A visit to Ein Gedi, the desert oasis
the direction of the desert and the Sodom only is the salinity (saltiness) much greater,
Lagoon became a closed lake that extended but the composition of the salt is much more where King David hid from King Saul,
from the Sea of Galilee in the north, to a varied. Whereas the salt in most oceans and where you can enjoy a picturesque hike
point approximately 50 km (30 mi) south seas is approximately 97% sodium chloride by Nahal David in the Ein Gedi Nature
of the Dead Sea’s current southern shore. (NaCl, or common salt), the salt in the Dead Reserve. You will most likely be welcomed
This prehistoric lake, Lake Gomorrah, Sea is only 30% sodium chloride – the rest is by ibexes and hyraxes, take a dip in the
accumulated large amounts of sediment on calcium chloride (CaC12, 15%), potassium waterfalls and explore 20 different plants
its floor. Because the sediment was heavier chloride (Kcl, 4%), and magnesium chloride unique to the Dead Sea region.
than the salt deposits that were there (MgCl, 51%). The Dead Sea includes 21 2. A dip in the Dead Sea - the lowest spot
before it, the salt deposits were pushed times more skin friendly minerals than any on earth for a unique floating and
sea or ocean. swimming experience.
Are you ready
to witness where it all happened?
Come and discover the wonders of the Dead Sea,
a once in a lifetime experience….
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