Revenge of the Dead Sea

The salt lake between Israel and Jordan, the Dead Sea, is shrinking due to lack of water. About 3000 sinkholes start to appear around the lake. The holes can crack suddenly and everything on top will collapse. Experts say sinkholes' formation is related to lack of water, tourism and industrial activities.

The main water source for the Dead Sea is Jordan River. The lake is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. The Dead Sea bank is about 400 meters below sea level. It is the lowest point of dry land on earth. Since 1960, Israel and Jordan had drawn water from Jordan River for agricultural and industrial use. Therefore, the area of Dead Sea has shrunk to two third of its original size.

Trapped in a sinkhole for fourteen hours five years ago, geologist Eli Raz is now trying to map the sinkholes to prevent similar accident. Raz says there are about 3000 sinkholes that have been located and there could be more sinkholes that are yet to be located. The sinkholes not only threaten the safety of tourists but also affect Israel’s development plans. Authorities close a campground, date groves and a small naval base, and scrap plans for 5,000 new hotel rooms. (The Associated Press, 2009)

Raz also points out that as the Dead Sea shrinks over time, the creatures that live around will disappear with it. The World Bank is planning to build a canal to get water from Red Sea, which is about 160 kilometers away. However, with the estimated cost of $15 billion, it is not likely to happen. If plans are not made to stop the shrinking, Dead Sea would be one third of its original size in the next century.

Reference

Dead Sea. (2009, June 23). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

Retrieved June 23, 2009, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dead_Sea&oldid=298213197

The Associated Press. Dead Sea peril: sinkholes swallow up the unwary.

Retrieved June 23, 2009, from

http://www.cnbc.com/id/31474308/for/cnbc/