A giant is disappearing from the map: the Dead Sea, between Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank, loses 1.2 meters per year, has already shrunk by one-third in 50 years, and is 427 meters below sea level.

Written by Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Published on 19/06/2026 at 14:57

Updated on 19/06/2026 at 14:58

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Located between Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank, the Dead Sea has already lost one-third of its surface area in five decades, while plans to contain the deterioration remain stalled due to costs, regional tensions, and political decisions

The Dead Sea, located between Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank, shrinks about 1.2 meters per year and has already lost approximately one-third of its surface area in the last five decades. The retreat exposes salt-covered shores, creates sinkholes, and increases uncertainty for residents, tourists, and businesses along the coast.

The Dead Sea is disappearing — Currently, the Jordan River carries 100 million cubic meters of water. Previously, it was 1,300 million. Image source: CNN Mundo.

Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth’s surface

Situated about 427 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is considered the lowest point on Earth’s surface. Despite the name, technically it is a lake, primarily fed by the Jordan River.

The water, almost 10 times saltier than the ocean, makes the place known for the ease of floating.

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Diversions of the Jordan River reduced water inflow

In recent decades, dams and diversions built by Jordan, Syria, and Israel have decreased the flow of the Jordan River. The water has been redirected for agriculture, livestock, and population supply.

Another factor pointed out in the consulted material is the mineral extraction industry. The combination of reduced water inflow and industrial use has contributed to accelerating the drop in the Dead Sea’s level.

Climate change exacerbates the scenario. Studies cited in the material indicate that even without river diversions or industrial activity, prolonged and intense droughts would cause a significant reduction of the lake.

Sinkholes change the landscape and pose a risk to the coast

The retreat of the water revealed a landscape marked by salt and large circular holes. In Ein Gedi, a popular seaside resort, signs warn of danger and prohibit pedestrian access in affected areas.

These sinkholes appear as a direct consequence of the water level drop. Besides altering the landscape, they affect the safety of those who live, visit, or conduct business in the coastal region.

Plan with Red Sea water remains without definitive progress

In 2013, the Palestinian Autonomous Government, Jordan, and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding to study the pumping of water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea.

The proposal included a desalination station on the Jordanian coast to produce fresh water and a pipeline over 160 kilometers long to carry the brine generated in the process to the Dead Sea.

Other ideas involve reducing the diversion of the Jordan River and decreasing water consumption by industry. Environmental experts cited in the material, however, state that restoring the level of decades ago is almost impossible, advocating a focus on stabilizing the deterioration.

The Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection refuted accusations of a lack of political urgency and stated that the continuous deterioration of the Dead Sea is a serious environmental problem of national and regional importance.

This article was prepared based on the information provided in the source material about the Dead Sea, with data, numbers, and statements preserved as per the consulted material.

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A giant is disappearing from the map: the Dead Sea, between Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank, loses 1.2 meters per year, has already shrunk by one-third in 50 years, and is 427 meters below sea level.

Located between Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank, the Dead Sea has already lost one-third of its surface area in five decades, while plans to contain the deterioration remain stalled due to costs, regional tensions, and political decisions

Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth’s surface

Diversions of the Jordan River reduced water inflow

Sinkholes change the landscape and pose a risk to the coast

Plan with Red Sea water remains without definitive progress

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A giant is disappearing from the map: the Dead Sea, between Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank, loses 1.2 meters per year, has already shrunk by one-third in 50 years, and is 427 meters below sea level.

Located between Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank, the Dead Sea has already lost one-third of its surface area in five decades, while plans to contain the deterioration remain stalled due to costs, regional tensions, and political decisions

Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth’s surface

Diversions of the Jordan River reduced water inflow

Sinkholes change the landscape and pose a risk to the coast

Plan with Red Sea water remains without definitive progress

Libya built over 4,000 kilometers of underground pipelines to bring water from the Sahara to coastal cities in a project that the government itself called the Eighth Wonder of the World.

Desert sand, previously discarded for being too smooth for concrete, becomes an ecological brick in the United Arab Emirates, dispensing with Portland cement, curing at room temperature, and attempting to transform dunes useless for construction into raw material for a new arid engineering.

He transformed an abandoned plastic water tank into an underground house in the “hobbit hole” style, using only repurposed pallet wood, without heavy machinery or expensive labor.

China transforms desert-devastated area into the world’s largest artificial forest, planting trees for 60 years, blocking sand that reached Beijing, and creating a “green lung” of 92,000 hectares in a region once considered lost.

Toyota launches “family hybrid van” with 7 or 8 seats, 1.8 hybrid engine, fuel consumption of up to 23.8 km/l, and a price equivalent to about R$ 104,000 without taxes, below the Tiggo 8 Pro Plug-in Hybrid sold in Brazil: meet the Noah Hybrid 2026 in Japan.

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