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Dead Sea dig to provide Earth clues

Thu, 11/18/2010 - 10:32 by Rakhi

Tel Aviv, Israel -- A team of scientists says digging below the Dead Sea will extract material that could provide an important look at Earth's history over the past 500,000 years.

An international team of researchers has begun drilling from a platform near the Israeli Dead Sea resort of Ein Boqeq, Britain's Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday. A thin slice of Earth's history will be extracted from a 3,937-foot-deep borehole being drilled by a special rig set up in the northern basin of the sea.

Scientists will examine layers of sediment laid down during the course of millions of years beneath the lowest place on Earth, looking for clues about shifting weather patterns, seismic activity and climate change.

Jordan to refill Dead Sea from Red Sea

Sat, 10/10/2009 - 22:28 by Salinder Kumar

Amman, Jordan. -- Jordan's plan to refill the Dead Sea with water from the Red Sea could damage ecosystems in both bodies of water, environmentalists warn.

Water levels in the Dead Sea, the Earth's lowest and saltiest body of water, have been shrinking by more than 4 feet a year for the last 20 years, largely because of water extracted for drinking, agriculture and industry, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

Dead Sea in natural wonders competition

Fri, 07/10/2009 - 19:26 by Inderjit Singh

Jerusalem -- The Dead Sea has reached the next stage in the international competition grading the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Israeli tourism officials said.

Israel's candidacy for the competition was made possible after the Tourist Ministries of Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority signed agreements supporting the move, the officials said.

Hoping the lowest place on Earth will be declared one of the competition's winners, Israeli Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov has planned a promotion encouraging tourism in the area, the officials said.

Results of the next round in the competition are to be announced July 22, the officials said, adding the ministry will allow voting to take place on its Web site.