The Dead Sea is in a continuous process of shrinkage, with the water level dropping by about one meter per year. The main causes for this are evaporation in the Dead Sea factories and the water dams built by Israel and Jordan. These factors have led to a reduction in the area and a dramatic drop in the sea's water level.
The dramatic decline in the Dead Sea's water level can be clearly seen: On a rock alongside Highway 90, between Kalya and Avnat, the British PEF expedition marked the sea level at the beginning of the 20th century. These markings show a 43-meter drop in the sea's water level over the past 120 years. The expedition conducted archaeological surveys and precise mapping of the Land of Israel, and their data reveals the dramatic change that has occurred in the Dead Sea over the years.
The PEF Expedition -
The PEF (The Palestine Exploration Fund) was established in 1865 in Britain with the goal of exploring the Middle East, gathering archaeological information, and mapping the region. The expedition operated under the patronage of Queen Victoria and arrived in the Land of Israel during the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Using triangulation methods, the expedition created accurate maps that were also used for military purposes, influencing the scientific mapping of the area until the 1990s.
