The Dead Sea
By: Rhianna Carter
All About the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is one of the world's saltiest bodies of water, and is the deepest hyper saline lake in the world. its so harsh that most animals are not able to flourish. It is bordered by Jordan to the east, and Palestine and Israel to the west. The surface and the shores of the Dead Sea are 429 meters below sea level.
Unique Fact
An unusual feature of the Dead Sea is its discharge of asphalt. From deep seeps, the Dead Sea constantly spits up small pebbles and blocks of the black substance. Asphalt coated figurines and bitumen coated Neolithic skulls from archaeological sites have been found. Egyptian mummification processes used asphalt imported from the Dead Sea region.
Climate
The Dead Sea's climate offers year-round sunny skies and dry air. It has less than 50 millimeters mean annual rainfall and a summer average temperature between 32 and 39 °C. Winter average temperatures range between 20 and 23 °C . The region has weakened ultraviolet radiation, particularly the U VB rays. Given the heavier atmospheric pressure, the air has a slightly higher oxygen content as compared to oxygen density at sea level. Barometric pressures at the Dead Sea were measured between 796 and 799 mm Hg and clinically compared with health effects at higher altitude. The Dead Sea affects temperatures nearby because of the moderating effect a large body of water has on climate. During the winter, sea temperatures tend to be higher than land temperatures, and vice versa during the summer months. This is the result of the water's mass and specific heat capacity. On average, there are 192 days above 30 degrees C annually.