IMG_6591,Machtesh Ramon
Much of the Negev Desert is vast, brown, dry and uninteresting. It is also beautiful, fascinating and rich in geological history. This region makes up nearly half the State of Israel, but the population of the desert communities is less than 20% of the total. After withdrawing from the Sinai as part of the peace treaty with Egypt, the Negev also became the site of numerous military bases. Located south of Beersheba in the Central Negev, Makhtesh Ramon is usually referred to as a crater, but it is not an impact crater from a meteorite, it is actually a "makhtesh," a valley surrounded by steep walls and drained by a single "wadi" (riverbed). It is the world’s largest makhtesh. Makhtesh Ramon is at the center of two large nature reserves, Har Hanegev and Matzok Hatzinim. Makhtesh Ramon is 25 miles (40 km.) long and 5 miles (9 km.) across at its widest point. Mount Ramon, at the southwest corner of the makhtesh, is the highest peak in the Negev (3,400 feet – 1,037 m.). The name Ramon comes from the Arabic "Ruman" meaning Romans. Makhtesh Ramon is a geologists’ paradise with fossils, rock formations and volcanic and magmatic phenomenon dating back as much as 220 million years. The Ramon crater began forming when the ocean that covered the desert began to move north. Water and other climatic forces slowly began to flatten the curve on top. Much later, the Arava rift valley was formed and the rivers began to change their flow. As this occurred, it carved out the crater. The crater is about 1,650 feet (500 m.) deep. Some rocks at the bottom of the crater can be dated back 220 million years. A black hill in the north, Giv'at Ga'ash, was once an active volcano. Also, vertical dikes of magnum which squeezed upward through fissures can be seen at various spots through the makhtesh. The lowest spot in the crater, Ein Saharonim, contains its only natural water source. From the visitor’s center, it is possible to get a spectacular panoramic view of the crater.
Size: 5250px × 3500px
Photo credit: © yoel harel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: alpaca, alpacas, animal, animals, area, atlantic, attractions, beginners., bizarre, buckthorn, bushes, campgrounds, casual, crater, crater., daisy, desert, direct, disappeared, don’, dorcas, east, edge, fact, farm, fat, fox, gazelle, globe, grow, hikers, hikers., hyena, ibex, including, israel, israel?, kind, leopard, llamas, main, mind, mitzpe, nearby, numerous, onage, pathways, pistachio, plants, popular, production, ramon, rappeling, rat., recommended, road., rock, route, sand, shrubs., side, striped, trails, trees, tulips, variety, wool., —, ’
