African Syrian Rift Valley (Journey)

The term "African Syrian Rift Valley" refers to the Great Rift Valley, a vast geological feature that extends 6400 miles from Turkey-Syria in the Middle East down to central eastern Mozambique in East Africa, marking a divergent boundary between tectonic plates. It is characterized by deep rift valleys, escarpments, active volcanoes, and is famous for its abundant fossil evidence of early human ancestors, leading to its nickname "birthplace of humanity".  

The section of the Great Rift Valley from mount Hermon dormant volcano and the Red Sea in South is called Jordan Rift Valley named after river Jordan crossing rift (name derived from Hebrew pronunciation Yarden). Oil Painting show rift valley from a vantage point of the uphill road claiming to South Golan heights. Tis part of valley is located in Upper Galilee framed in East by Golan Heights and in West by Galilean mountains. Mount Hermon, shown in upper left corner of the painting covered by winter snow is dormant volcano. Last time erupted 100,000 years ago covering surroundings in range of 50 kilometers by basalt boulders large and small reddish due to high concentration of iron. Basalt and pulverized black gravel are remanence of the eruption event.

The Jordan Rift valley is a variety of diversified landscapes, climatic environments, geology and places of historical significance. Lash rich in water North part with streams, lakes, Galilean Sea. The small township of Gamla, in Golan heights, was the last to fall in Roman Judea war in 1 AD.

The Jordan Rift Valley is extremely diversified feature of landscapes, climatic regions, and places where significant historical events took place. Lash in North with plenty of streams, lakes and Galilean Sea on of the lowest lakes on Earth well bellow sea level. Jordan river crosses Galilean Sea on journey to the Dead See large lake having very high salinity. Dead Sea and the floor of Rift valley are 400 meters bellow sea level, the deepest salty lake on Ear. This section of Jordan Rift Walley is bound by Judea Desert mountains in West and Edom mountains in East. Judea Desert mountains are sloping down from the outskirts of Jerusalem from height of about 1000 meters above sea level down to the Dead Sea of -400 meters bellow sea level. Judea Desert bears name of major tribe among 12 tribes of Israelites mentioned in Bible.

On they journey Israelites tribes crossed Jordan river slightly above the delta of of Jordan into Dead Sea. Led by Joshua into a promised land as described in Bible. While undisputed leader Moses, who united tribes on the 40 yes of wondering in Sinai dessert into one nation was deprived by Good to enter promised land. As bible describes, Moses was told by God to climb Nuevo mountain on Eastern side of the valley to observe the promised land. Moses died on the mountain and his l resting place is unknown. Indeed on a clear day one can see most of Israel's lands up far North.

• In midway between Jerusalem and rift valley like a piece of jewelry encrusted in stone of Judea Dessert 10 century AD Greek monastery at Marsaba. Sliding down to very edge og the deep canyon called Kedron.

• Fragment of the central part of the monastery

• Winter Storm over Jordan valley, in grp of Judea Desert, "Lightening strike"

Judea Desert named after my People, where our nation was forged fighting endless invader's armies, growing aromatic crops for king coronation, Settlements of scholars writing scrolls of great cultural significances for Humanity. This land was walked by Kings, Prophets, Scholars and Spiritual leaders.

Dead Sea is a pinnacle of the Jordan Rift Valley. In Oil Painting, mountains of Judea Desert painted by setting sun in West and Edom mountains lighted up in East separated by body of the Dead Sea.

The Jordan Valley rift from mount Hermon to Dead Sea has abundance of hot geothermal spring. But area around Dead Sea has tiny mad and asphalt bubbling vents and pulls of asphalt and oily products. Sand layers saturated by oil and asphalt, fossilized by soil pressure created mineral stones burning better then wood.

The Great Rift Valley, which stretches over 6,400 miles, is characterized by the availability of drinking water within a day's walk, a crucial resource that facilitated the migration of hominoids from the heart of Africa. The slopes of the Judean Desert, which face the rift valley, are home to numerous springs and even waterfalls that provide clean drinking water. This region has historically offered essential resources and shelter, supporting various waves of migration that began with hominoids approximately two million years ago. Following this, Neanderthals migrated between 400,000 and 200,000 years ago. Ultimately, Homo sapiens emerged as a small group of survivors from a catastrophic volcanic winter during the Ice Age, which drastically reduced the hominid population. The exact mechanisms behind this survival are complex and remain a topic of debate, but it is believed that a mutation in two parent individuals led to the development of a more advanced brain and distinct physical traits, such as longer legs and shorter, stronger hands. This small wave of Homo Sapiens about 70,000 years ago rapidly spread into Europe and Asia, where they coexisted with Neanderthals. Despite their ability to interbreed, competition between the two groups ultimately resulted in the complete extinction of Neanderthals by around 40,000 years ago. Interestingly, despite the unique genetic makeup of modern humans, all can trace their ancestry back to a single family unit—comprising a mother, father, and their siblings—highlighting the interconnectedness of humanity.

(1). Satraba "Satra". Oil Painting, third century BC fortress curved into mountain overlooking Jordan valley. (2). Oil Painting, Holed dunes of the Wada Desert. (3) Oil Painting, Moonrise over Wada Desert.

Deserts possess a unique allure, characterized by their enchanting yet harsh environments where both shadows and water are scarce commodities. The Judea Desert, a prime example of a stony desert, showcases a landscape sculpted by the forces of water over time. During the rainy season, even distant storms can trigger substantial rainfall, leading to the transformation of dry flood channels into tumultuous rivers capable of transporting boulders the size of cars. Over millennia, these ancient flood beds evolve into deep canyons, their depths carved by the relentless flow of water. Rather than being absorbed by the rocky terrain, the water accelerates, reaching speeds comparable to that of a high-speed train, resulting in cascading waterfalls of stone and mud that further deepen the channels across the desert floor. Observing these floods from elevated vantage points reveals a breathtaking spectacle, as the once-quiet desert comes alive with the dynamic power of nature.