THE NATURAL RESOURCES

Sun Rays | Dead Sea Water | Air | Black Mud | Hot Springs

Climate, sunshine, water, air and black mud — all are unique at the Dead Sea which is situated 400 m below sea level. No other sites in the world provides such an extraordinary combination of natural elements with the capability to rehabilitate and restore physiological functions. In fact, this combination creates a micro-climate and  an unique natural health spa from many aspects.

Table 1: The Dead Sea Climatic Factors

Welcome to the Dead Sea Climatic Monitoring Facilities

Increased attenuation of a specific spectrum of ultra-violet radiation provides unusual therapeutic properties with an impressive impact on a number of diseases. At the Dead Sea the sun's ultraviolet rays are attenuated by three natural phenomena:

1. The longest solar ray optical path length as a result of it being the lowest terrestrial point (approx.-400 m) on the Earth. This results in enhanced scattering by air molecules, water vapor and aerosols.
2. A relatively dense haze, composed of aerosols (minerals), caused by continuous evaporation from the Dead Sea.
3. The ozone layer.
   

Together these layers act as an unique filtering screen that reduces the intensity of the more harmful lower wavelenght UVB rays to a greater extend than the longer wavelenght UVA rays. (see Fig.1).

Over millions of years, the hot dry air and high evaporation rate have contributed to the high salt concentration present in the Dead Sea, making it one of the saltiest lakes in the world. Compared to the 3% salt content of ordinary sea water, Dead Sea water contains 32% salts with relatively high concentration of minerals such as magnesium, calcum, bromide and potassium (see Table 2). Exposure to Dead Sea water is acclaimed for nourishing the skin, easing rheumatic discomfort, activating the circulatory system, and relaxing the nerves. Its very high density enables the body to float effortlessly. This special feature permits free a relaxed and easier movement in the water thus enhancing the effects of physiotherapy.

• Located 400 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea area has the world's
  highest terrestrial barometric pressure resulting in 3.3%-4.8% (maximum in winter and minimum in summer) higher oxygen density than the air at sea level.
• The air along the shores of the Dead Sea is rich in magnesium and bromine the relaxing effects of which help to reduce nervous tension.
• The climate of the Dead Sea is dry and comfortable most of the year with a very low rainfall in winter time (see Table 1).
• The air at the Dead Sea is unpolluted and virtually free of allergens. This is due to the desert location, characterized by sparse vegetation and the absence of heavy industry (See the results of the 3-Year Survey at the Dead Sea)..

BLACK MUD

The medicinal natural black mud is a homogeneous mixture of Dead Sea minerals, organic elements retrieved from the shoreline as well as mixed with earth. When applied to the skin, the Dead Sea mud improves and stimulates blood circulation in affected areas of many types of joint diseases, due to its thermopexic properties. Medicinal black mud is also useful for cleansing and softening the skin.(see Table 3)