A Sea Where You Can’t Drown#
Have you ever heard of a sea where you can’t drown?
Between Israel and Jordan, there’s a lake called the Dead Sea.
Here, you can lie on the water and read a newspaper — because the water’s buoyancy is so strong, you simply can’t sink.
Even if you can’t swim at all, there’s nothing to worry about.
Why Can’t You Sink?#
The Dead Sea’s water is 34% salt — 10 times saltier than regular seawater!
What does that mean? For every 100 pounds of Dead Sea water, 34 pounds are salt.
The more salt, the heavier the water, and the greater the buoyancy.
Imagine: add lots of salt to water, and it becomes “thick,” like soup. Of course you can’t sink in soup.
So in the Dead Sea, you don’t need any swimming skills — just relax your body and lie flat — the water will hold you up automatically.
The Lowest Lake on Earth#
The Dead Sea holds another “world record” — it’s the lowest lake on Earth.
The Dead Sea’s surface is 430 meters below sea level — 430 meters lower than the ocean!
If you stand by the Dead Sea, you’re actually standing at the lowest point on Earth’s surface.
The Dead Sea Is “Dying”#
But the Dead Sea is shrinking.
In the past 50 years, the Dead Sea has shrunk by one-third.
Why? Because the Jordan River — the Dead Sea’s main water source — has its water大量 pumped upstream for irrigation and drinking.
Less water flows into the Dead Sea, so it keeps getting smaller.
Scientists say that without action, the Dead Sea could completely dry up within decades.
The Dead Sea’s Mud#
The Dead Sea’s mud is special — it’s rich in minerals and great for your skin.
Many people come to the Dead Sea specifically to cover themselves in black mud, lying on the beach like mud sculptures.
据说 this mud can beautify your skin, so the Dead Sea is also called “Nature’s Beauty Salon.”
Learn from the World#
The Dead Sea teaches us one thing: sometimes, “too much” is the problem.
The salt content is so high that no fish or shrimp can survive — that’s why it’s called the “Dead” Sea.
But正是 this “flaw” created a unique natural wonder.
Knowledge Card#
- Location: Border of Israel and Jordan
- Type: Natural Wonder
- Key Numbers: 34% salinity, -430 m elevation (lowest point on Earth), 67 km long
- Science: Higher salt content means higher water density and greater buoyancy
- Fun Fact: No fish survive in the Dead Sea, but some salt-tolerant bacteria and algae do
- Source: Israel Tourism Board