TKAJJSACTIONS OF SECTION E. 681 



lure is strongly suggestive of that of a fjord where the ice has been absent for a 

 very long period. 



A possible conception of the valley and its mode of formation might be that 

 some time at the close of the cretaceous period this rift was formed. It was then 

 widened and deepened by ice action, at least as far south as the Sea of Galilee, if 

 not throughout its whole length. 



After this the surrounding region was submerged by a depression of its surface, 

 due to lateral pressure from the westward. It was at this time that the immense 

 deposits of sandstone took place which were laid down in the valley nearly as far 

 north as the Sea of Galilee. The thickness of these sedimentary deposits was 

 about 4,000 feet, and their character varied, dependent upon the source of the 

 material which was laid down. 



Subsequent to this a gradual elevation of the layers took place, and as long as 

 the supply of water was abundant the stream cut its way down through the sand- 

 stone, leaving fringe-like remnants on both sides of the valley, as well as an 

 underlying mass in its bed. The protected lateral bays or alcoves on the sides of 

 the main rift were found to be occupied by such deposits. The Lisan Peninsula 

 might be regarded as a more resistant remnant than usunl in the bed of the 

 valley. 



After this process had continued for a period long enough to bring about the 

 removal of some 3,000 feet of this deposit, a change in the conditions took place, 

 and one of three things happened, possibly all three : — • 



1. The glacier disappeared. 



2. The water-supply failed to a considerable extent. 



3. The rate of elevation increased. 



Then the course of the water over the top of this sandstone ' plug ' first became 

 sluggish and finally stopped, thus breaking the connection with the ocean. 



From this time onward, Avhile elevation to the extent of about 1,000 feet 

 took place, erosion upon this sandstone bed took place in two directions — north- 

 ward and southward — and a harder layer than usual, about the middle of the trough 

 connecting the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Akabah, eventually became the turning- 

 point of the waters in both directions. 



This process is also illustrated in a similar remnant lying between the Jebel 

 Usdem and the western face of the main limestone walls of the valley throughout 

 the whole length of that peculiar range. 



5. Petra. By Professor William Libcey, Sc.D. 



Petra is located in one of the larger bays or alcove valleys on the eastern side 

 of the valley connecting the Dead Sea with the Gulf of Akabah. The depth of 

 this bay inland must have been about seven miles. 



The immense amount of sandstone here laid down was apparently affected by 

 surface erosion only, as it was withdrawn from the active scouring action which 

 was going on in the main valley to the westward. It therefore rose or was lifted 

 up some 3,000 feet above that valley, while the limestone cliffs, its eastern shore 

 line, still towered above it to the height of 3,000 feet more. 



As you look down upon it from the old Roman road on the top of these cliffs, 

 it appears like a tumbled sea of sandstone waves, so rough is its surface. 



There is one channel, however, which has persisted in cutting its way down 

 through this sandstone mass from the lower edge of the limestone plateau to a 

 central depression with precipitous walls. This was the entrance to the location 

 of the famous ancient city. 



The stream occupying this cleft, after passing through the central valley, 

 plunges headlong down a splendid canyon, through several thousand feet of sand- 

 stone to the valley of the Arabah, which lies some five or six miles distant. This 

 latter portion of the Sik is all but impassable ; the upper portion, leading to the 

 site of the city, is easily traversed, in fact it once had a Roman road leading 

 along its winding bottom. 



