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| Avi floating in the Dead Sea |
The Dead Sea is the
one of the saltiest bodies of water and the lowest point on earth (1,388 feet
below sea level). This inland sea is named because it’s so salty that
there are no living creatures in it. The sea has 8.6 times higher salt concentration than ocean
water. The Dead Sea is so salty because it has no
outlets. While the water evaporates, the salt remains and builds up.
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Salt-covered rock
Dead Sea shore |
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| Salt-covered Dead Sea shore |
Salt water has a higher density than fresh water. You float easily because you move the heavy water downwards and it pushes upwards trying to fill in the space. That’s why
things float much better in salt water.
The Dead Sea is extremely salty and therefore extremely dense making
things very buoyant. Being in the Dead
Sea felt almost unreal to me, I could stand straight up and the water would take
me off my feet onto my stomach or back. I found it amazing that with no effort
I could float. It also occurred to me
that I could use the resistance to swim very fast, even while doggie paddling. The
only thing was I had to be careful not to get any water on my face, because
it’s so salty it can burn your eyes, ears, nose or mouth.
