Question

Which of the following is the saltiest water body bordering Jordan in the east and Israel in the west?

• A. World Ocean
• B. Dead Sea
• C. Great Salt Lake
• D. Don Juan Pond

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Dead Sea

The Dead Sea: A Unique Water Body

• The Dead Sea is a hypersaline lake located in the Jordan Rift Valley.
• It is bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west.
• It is renowned for being one of the salttiest bodies of water on Earth, with salinity levels significantly higher than that of the ocean.

Key Geographical and Physical Characteristics:

• The Dead Sea is situated at the lowest point on Earth's land surface, approximately 430.5 meters (1,412 feet) below sea level.
• Its extremely high salinity is due to its location in a dry, hot desert climate and the fact that it is a terminal lake, meaning water flows in but does not flow out, leading to a high concentration of dissolved minerals.
• The high density of the water, a result of its salinity, allows people to float effortlessly on its surface.

Ecological Significance and Tourism:

• Despite its name, the Dead Sea supports a limited amount of microbial life, making it uniquely adapted to extreme conditions.
• The mineral-rich mud and water of the Dead Sea are known for their supposed therapeutic properties, attracting tourists and people seeking health benefits.
• It plays a significant role in the economies of both Jordan and Israel through tourism and the extraction of valuable minerals like potash and bromine.

Geological Context:

• The Dead Sea basin is a geological feature formed by tectonic plate movement, specifically the divergence of the African and Arabian plates.
• Its formation dates back millions of years, evolving from ancient bodies of water.