Why the Dead Sea is so salty

The Dead Sea is a lake between Jordan, Israel and the West Bank. Its shore is the lowest point on land — about 430 metres below sea level.

Water flows in, but not out

The Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea, but no river flows out of it. Water leaves only by evaporating under the desert sun, while salt and minerals stay behind. That’s why it is about ten times saltier than the ocean — too salty for fish and plants, hence the name.

Floating without effort

The salty water is much denser than the human body, so you float in it without any effort. Swimming is actually hard — and the water stings badly in your eyes.

The Dead Sea is shrinking: its level drops by about a metre a year, because water from the Jordan River is used for drinking and irrigation.