InfoAnda - Dead Sea peril: sinkholes swallow up the unwary

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Ashley Judd to release memoir at age 41 | | 27 January 2010
Obama joins protesters in calling for Mubarak's resignation | 6 February 2011
Clinton: No illusions Iran will return to talks | 10 August 2009

Saudi Shi'ites hold new protest in oil province | | 10 March 2011

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Dead Sea peril: sinkholes swallow up the unwary

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: Dead Sea peril: sinkholes swallow up the unwary By JOSEPH MARKS,Associated Press Writer AP - Monday, June 22 EIN GEDI, Israel - Eli Raz was peering into a narrow hole in the Dead Sea shore when the earth opened up and swallowed him. Fearing he would never be found alive in the 10-meter-(30 foot-) deep pit, he scribbled his will on an old postcard. ADVERTISEMENT After 14 hours a search party pulled him from the hole unhurt, and five years later the 69-year-old geologist is working to save others from a similar fate, leading an effort to map the sinkholes that are spreading on the banks of the fabled saltwater lake. These underground craters can open up in an instant, sucking in whatever lies above and leaving the surrounding area looking like an earthquake zone. The phenomenon, Raz said, stems from a dire water shortage, compounded in recent years by tourism and chemical industries as well as a growing population. "This is the most remarkable evidence of the brutal interference of humans in the Dead Sea," he said. The parched moonscape, famous as the site of biblical Sodom and Gomorra, is the lowest point on earth and runs more than 60 miles through Israel and the West Bank. Large sections of the coast are fenced off and signposted in Hebrew and English: "danger, open pits" and "sinkhole area ahead." But it's too expensive to inspect every place for danger. Just two months ago an Israeli hiker wandered into an area that had no warning signs and was critically injured when he fell into a sinkhole. While such accidents are rare, Raz says there are up to 3,000 open sinkholes along the coast and likely just as many that haven't burst open yet. And they're having a big impact on Israeli development plans. The collapsing terrain has forced authorities to close a campground, date groves and a small naval base, and to scrap plans for 5,000 new hotel rooms, said Galit Cohen, director of environmental planning at the Ministry of the Environment. The holes, also found on the Jordanian side of the sea, are the result of the Dead Sea having shrunk by a third since the 1960s when Israel and Jordan built plants to divert water flowing through its main tributary, the Jordan River. The holes form when a subterranean salt layer that once bordered the sea is dissolved by underground fresh water that follows the receding Dead Sea waters. The main road along the shore has been torn apart by streams whose energy is increased because they are flowing farther to reach the receding sea, and all construction along the strip between sea and highway is banned, Cohen said. Both Israel and Jordan evaporate Dead Sea water to extract its phosphates and have built hotels along the coasts for the thousands of tourists who come in search of the curative powers of Dead Sea mud, or simply for the experience of floating unsinkably in its salt-saturated waters. Only micro-organisms survive in the Dead Sea, but indigenous species of fish, amphibians and snails live in small nearby ponds fed by underground springs, and these could be wiped out as the Dead Sea gets smaller, Raz said. Many of the changes are masked at the pricey resorts on the sea's southern end, which lie on the banks of a large artificial pond built by the mineral industry. But around Ein Gedi, the kibbutz or communal farm where Raz lives, the Dead Sea's shrinkage is evident. Twenty-five years ago Ein Gedi built a spa by the sea. Now it's a 1.5-km (one-mile) trolley ride from the water. "Any visitor that's come back for a second visit in these last 10 years would see a dramatic change," said Gidon Bromberg, Israel director of Friends of the Earth Middle East, an advocacy group. "The sea has run away from the cliffs and it's exposed kilometers of mud and sea floor." No quick solution is in sight. The World Bank is studying a proposal to dig a canal from the Red Sea, more than 160 kilometers (100 miles) south, to replenish the Dead Sea's waters. But with costs estimated at up to $15 billion, there's little optimism it will happen. Without a solution, the sea is expected to shrink to lose another third of its area over the next century. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: World Israeli president applauds Iran street protestersAP - Monday, June 22 NY senator has little time to prep for 2010 raceAP - Monday, June 22 UK-World SummaryReuters - Monday, June 22 Iran blames "terrorists" for clashesReuters - Monday, June 22 Iraq bodies are British hostages: government sourcesAFP - Monday, June 22 Most Popular – World Viewed Schwarzenegger in mid-air jet drama Chubby people live longest: Japan study Botox helps Australian stroke victim to walk again Clones of 9/11 hero dog unveiled in Los Angeles F1 governing body 'not surprised' at sport's split View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Monday, 22 June 2009
Dead Sea peril: sinkholes swallow up the unwary
Turkish PM cancelled Greece trip due to ill-health
At least 24 reporters arrested in Iran
Iraq insurgents kill nine police
Top German spy says more Russian snooping on firms | International |
Britain names two UK hostages killed in Iraq | International |
Berlusconi defiant as pressure grows over scandal | International |
More than 30 militants killed in Pakistan
NYT editor: We had to keep mum on Afghan abduction
Palauans visit US aircraft carrier, reiterate ties
Obama's own party worried health plan lacks votes
Philippine marines kill 4 Abu Sayyaf militants
Pakistani aircraft hit militants near Afghan border
Critics: Burial site for Hudson PCBs is inadequate
Myanmar jails 2 opposition members
NOW elects Maryland woman its next president
N.Korea accuses Obama of nuclear war plot
Talks to resume between Globe union, management
McCain: Obama has 'done well' as president so far
Tenn. ash spill cleanup slow; cause still unknown
3 tornadoes destroy buildings in western Michigan
Planned N. Korea launch unnerves Hawaii residents
Sandra Bullock tops box office after 10 years | Entertainment |
Bullock's `Proposal' woos date crowds with $34.1M
Sandra Bullock tops box office after 10 years
Bordeaux wine fair hopes to beat recession blues
Danish-Swedish drama best film at Shanghai
Winners at Shanghai International Film Festival
US to restrict air strikes in Afghanistan: report
Opposition hopes to limit damage in Italy's local elections
Poland honours WWII victims in cyber space
Mullah Omar reasserts control of Taliban: report
Iran's Mousavi defiantly urges more protests | International |
Boeing readies Dreamliner for first flight
Irish PM refuses to contemplate EU treaty defeat
Bomb seriously hurts head of Russia's Ingushetia region | International |
Xstrata confirms merger approach to Anglo American
Jamie Foxx Files Cross-Complaint Against L.A. Bar Over Bartender's Lawsuit
Death toll from Iraq's Kirkuk blast rises to 73 | International |
World's media seeks ways around Iran clampdown
Hundreds arrested in violent Iran clashes
Suicide bomber kills three Afghan soldiers | International |
US sends dogs to search for bomb victims in Iraq
West articulates rising anger with Iran
Australia PM Rudd faces toughest week | International |
Struggle among Iran's clerics bursts into the open
Nigerian militants attack three Shell oil sites | International |
Iraqis hunt for relatives in rubble of deadly truck bombing
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Afghan firefight shows challenge for US troops
T-Mobile to sell new Google phone in August | Technology |
Report: NKorea ship suspected of carrying missiles
Key Australian senator condemns pollution laws
NZ rugby union condemns assault on French player
Al Qaeda says would use Pakistani nuclear weapons
Australia car dealer political row escalates
Newspapers: VA in Penn. botched cancer treatments
Former Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca at a glance
Iacocca: GM, Chrysler should repay US loans fast
Republicans demand stronger Iran response
Searchers spot 2 aboard disabled skiff in Alaska
New detector not much better catching nuke matter
NTSB eye water on rails at site of Ill. derailment
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,316
Greenland will boost cooperation with US: leader
Chaplain dies 5 years after being wounded in Iraq
"Transformers" director rips studio in leaked memo
US presses China over Internet filtering
Japan plans WTO complaint on SKorea battery rule
Developing countries' GDP to slow: World Bank
Big Japanese firms less pessimistic: govt survey
NZ credit card billings fall in May
S.Korean group bids for Czech turbine maker
Forecast fine for Jack White's Dead Weather
S.Korea exporters Q3 sentiment at 5-qtr high-survey
A golden new gift option for air travellers?
Taiwan dollar eases on fund outflows in equities
Animation to soar to new heights with 'Astro Boy'
S.Korea IBK eyes Korea Post's financial unit
Napoleon rides again as Waterloo re-staged
Sitcom actresses juggle family, careers | Entertainment |
Seoul shares slip; caution before FOMC meeting
Harold Ramis looks back at "Year One" from Day One
TV drama stars thrive in dark roles | Entertainment |
Simultaneous worldwide release a dilemma for films
Daughtry prepping new album next month | Entertainment |
Brad Pitt baseball drama strikes out
Nickelback tops MuchMusic Awards | Entertainment |
"Transformers" director rips studio in leaked memo
Brad Pitt baseball drama strikes out | Entertainment |
Michael Schumacher revealed as TV show Top Gear's 'Stig'
Harold Ramis looks back at Year One from Day One | Entertainment |
Italy designers offer color as crisis antidote
Transformers director rips studio in leaked memo | Entertainment |
Forecast fine for Jack White's Dead Weather | Entertainment |
US-TECH Summary
T-Mobile to sell new Google phone in August
German Ifo business confidence up again in June
Internet boycott calls to mark China filter debut
Ingush leader badly wounded in assassination bid
Pakistan army says in final phase of Swat offensive | International |
Spate of Iraq bombings kill at least 21
Anglo American confirms Xstrata merger approach
Brown urges Iraq hostage takers to release Britons | International |
Israel extends mandate of Mossad chief
Two blasts kill eight in Afghan town | International |
11 bodies from Air France disaster identified: officials
Rwanda minister given 30 years' jail for genocide | International |
Bombings kill at least 22 in Iraq | International |
Internet boycott calls to mark China filter debut | International |
Sarkozy says burqas have no place in France | International |
Suicide bomber kills 6 civilians in Afghanistan
iPhone 3GS sales top 1 million | Technology |
US 'prepared' for N.Korea missile launch: Obama
Thousands leave Waziristan before new Pakistan battle
IBM launches Wimbledon smartphone application | Technology |
Philippines reports first swine flu death
Kodak kills Kodachrome film after 74 years | Technology |
Airstrikes kill 21 more people in Pakistan
S.Korean leader to visit Japan amid nuclear stand-off
Sec'y Sebelius argues US health care too expensive
Ericsson signs LTE patent deals | Technology |
Truck explosion shuts down part of I-95 in Fla.
Philippine troops capture rebel wanted for rampage
Internet boycott calls to mark China filter debut | Technology |
Five Uighurs 'don't want' resettlement in Palau
T-Mobile to launch second Google phone in August
Steve Jobs received liver transplant: report | Technology |
China to mark anniversary coin with 2 more coins
Woman with swine flu dies in Philippines
Obama to announce agreement with drug companies
Obama to sign tobacco bill on Monday
Obama to sign anti-smoking bill in Rose Garden
Blogger arraigned on Conn. lawmaker-threat charge
Obama's campaign strategies get tested in NJ, VA
China's key stock index rises to 1-year high
Taiwan's jobless rate hits record high
Sandra Bullock tops box office after 10 years | Entertainment |
Japan stocks nudge higher after down week
Crucial court date looms for Chris Brown
S.Korea recovery soon, says World Bank official
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
`Idol' rat pack: 10 finalists prepare for tour
Airbus to deliver 1st China-assembled A320 jet
Danish-Swedish film wins Shanghai top prize
GM JV marks two millionth Buick sold in China
Fast-ageing SKorea plans college course for retirees
China tells state firms to transfer shares
Govt to help Japan Airlines rehabilitate
Hong Kong's Foreign Correspondents' Club turns 60
Jilted Carrie Prejean Threatens Miss California USA Pageant With Lawsuit
Prince Harry Accidentally Flashed His Underwear To Female Onlookers After Polo Match
Russell Crowe Stripped Nude And "Wallowed" In Mud With Cate Blanchett For "Robin Hood" Movie
Thousands Of Country Music Concert-Goers Stranded By Floodwaters In Michigan
Infant Killed When Someone Rolled On Top Of Her
British World War I Survivor Becomes World's Oldest Man As Japanese Titleholder Dies
U.S. Customs, Agriculture Agencies Find New Pest In Guatemala Pineapple Shipment
Pot Goes Up In Smoke, Turns Into Energy In Florida Incinerator
Feds Says Churches Conned With "Free" Computers
U.K. Dad's Daughter Is World's First Teen With Daily Photos Since Birth
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01