56 The Sea of Salt

What is the saltiest body of water in the world? Is it the Great Salt Lake in Utah? No. The answer is the Dead Sea. It lies between Israel and Jordan. It is six times saltier than the ocean.

What makes it so salty? Evaporation. The water, as vapor, rises. The salts, like salt, remain. Does any fresh water enter the Dead Sea? Yes. The Jordan River flows in from the north. Also, many springs bubble into it. These sources add about 7,000,000 tons of water daily. Wouldn't this fresh water make the Dead Sea less salty? No. Why? Because of the constant evaporation. As much water is evaporated as comes in. Also, the Jordan River and the springs bring in some added salt. They leach salt from the soil and rocks that they flow over.

The heat in the Dead Sea basin is extreme. Heat and the gases from the water give the sea a foul odor. Old reports say that no birds flew over the water. If they did, they would drop dead from the fumes. Fish are not able to live in the waters. They are too salty even for fish.

Despite its name and fame, the Dead Sea is pretty. Its waters are smooth and sparkling. Some people believe the water can cure certain diseases. The hot springs are used for health reasons. A health resort is on the shore. Efforts are being made to expand the tourist trade. The winter climate is warm and dry. The scenery is inspiring. The area is interesting. There is a cave on the West Bank. Here the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were found. The Dead Sea is mentioned in Biblical stories. Some of the Crusaders used the Jordan River and the Dead Sea in their travels. History is everywhere.

世界上最鹹的水體是哪一個？是猶他州的大鹽湖嗎？不是。答案是死海。它位於以色列和約旦之間。它的鹽度是海洋的六倍。

為什麼它這麼鹹？因為蒸發。水分以蒸氣形式上升，鹽分則留下。是否有淡水流入死海？有。約旦河從北方流入。此外，許多泉水也湧入其中。這些水源每天增加約七百萬噸的水。這些淡水不會讓死海變得不那麼鹹嗎？不會。為什麼？因為持續的蒸發。蒸發的水量與流入的水量相當。此外，約旦河和泉水還帶來一些額外的鹽分。它們從流經的土壤和岩石中浸出鹽分。

死海盆地的熱度極高。水中的熱氣和氣體使海水散發出惡臭。舊報告說沒有鳥類飛越這片水域。如果有，它們會因煙霧而墜落死亡。魚類無法在這片水域生存。對魚來說，這裡的鹽分過高。

儘管名字和名聲如此，死海依然美麗。它的水面平滑而閃亮。有些人相信這裡的水能治療某些疾病。溫泉被用於健康療養。岸邊有一家健康度假村。人們正在努力擴展旅遊業。冬季氣候溫暖乾燥。景色令人振奮。這片區域很有趣。西岸有一個洞穴，著名的死海古卷就是在這裡被發現的。聖經故事中提到過死海。一些十字軍曾在旅行中使用約旦河和死海。歷史隨處可見。