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Large Crater (BibleWalks.com)

Just southeast of Yeruham lies a geological wonder: Makhtesh Gadol, or the Large Crater. It is one of three major 'Makhteshim' in the Negev—massive erosion cirques that are so unique to this region and the Sinai that the Hebrew word 'Makhtesh' was adopted by scientists worldwide to describe them. Unlike craters formed by meteorites or volcanoes, this was carved by the sheer power of time and water. The story began 25 million years ago with the birth of the Great Rift Valley. As the African and Arabian plates pulled apart, the Arava Valley dropped to 350 meters below sea level—the lowest point on Earth. This massive drop created a 'vacuum effect' for water drainage. About 5 million years ago, seasonal floods began 'sucking out' the soft rock from deep beneath the surface, hollowing out the earth from the inside. While the solid limestone rim held firm, the center collapsed and sank, eventually forming a massive basin 5 kilometers wide and 10 kilometers long. Over millions of years, the gap between the crater floor and its towering cliffs grew to a staggering 400 meters. The process finally settled about 8,000 years ago, and thanks to the bone-dry desert climate, this prehistoric masterpiece has been perfectly preserved for us to see today. The floor of Makhtesh Gadol is a geological treasure chest because the erosion process has acted like a "time machine," peeling away layers of young rock to reveal ancient formations that are usually buried deep underground. On the surface of the crater as striking things to see. The most famous feature of the crater floor are sites of colored sands, best seen in Eucalyptus parking on the eastern side of the crater. Because the erosion cut through layers of sandstone from the Lower Cretaceous period (about 130 million years ago), the sand is naturally pigmented by different minerals. There are vibrant shades of purple, pink, orange, yellow, and deep red. This is caused by various concentrations of iron oxides (rust) and manganese. Many people bring clear bottles to create layered "sand art" from the natural colors found right on the ground. Millions of years ago, this entire area was at the bottom of the Tethys Ocean. As you walk the crater floor, you can find physical evidence of this ancient sea: snail-like shells of Amonites and calcified remains of Coral reefs. In certain sections of the crater floor, you can find fragments of petrified trees. Looking toward the edges of the crater floor. Because of the tectonic pressure that created the "bulge" before it collapsed, the rock layers are not horizontal; they are tilted at sharp angles. You can see massive "fins" of rock sticking out of the ground, looking like the back of a prehistoric dinosaur. Because the towering walls of the Makhtesh Gadol acted as a nearly impassable barrier, most ancient travelers were forced to navigate around its edges, such as the route from Avdat to Yeruham. However, some desert routes crossed the crater: During the Roman period, a desert route led from the Roman camp in Ein Yorkeam, traversed the northern valley of the crater, then crossed gaps in the north edge of the crater. During the Iron age period, there were several fortresses on the north side of the crater, one of them was recently found on the north bank of Nahal Avnon.