Written by Staff Writer at CNN
Tel Aviv, Israel (CNN) — Seeing the impressive Dead Sea phenomena for the first time is considered one of the most magical travel experiences. A huge wave of salt that flows through the saltwater is some of the most dramatic and awe-inspiring sights on earth.
But as incredible as it looks, the phenomenon is the result of a millennia-old movement of water and energy from the Earth into the Dead Sea that has reached the limits of its potential.
The sun shines on the edge of the Dead Sea. Credit: Viki Van Der Walt/flickr
The Dead Sea has a geological and geophysical limit of only 382 meters above sea level, according to the the World Bank . The concept of the Dead Sea — whose name means “lost city” — is based on a discovery made in 1941 in the Jordan River. At this level, the Dead Sea’s water has no life and is used purely for cooling in the region.
However, given its location, it’s unlikely this will change in the near future.
Entire towns and islands have been built up on the bank of the Dead Sea, such as Hulda, located at the top of a hill on the Israeli side. The capital of this town is called Hula, which means “water” in Hebrew.
“In all the days of Judea and Egypt, before the Land of Israel, there was no freshwater. Not at the springs, there was no drill, the rivers did not flow,” Hulda mayor Avraham Diskin told CNN.
Local resort hotels cater to vacationers visiting Hulda. Credit: Viki Van Der Walt/flickr
Though the possibilities for the Dead Sea have been limited by water — and a restricted water table — this hasn’t stopped its tourist appeal and economic wealth. This is not just reflected in the number of holiday homes near the Dead Sea, but also the number of famous and spectacular beaches there.
