HaMakhtesh HaGadol

HaMakhtesh HaGadol
Makhtesh gadol.jpg
Eastern part of Makhtesh Gadol from the air
Map showing the location of HaMakhtesh HaGadol
Map showing the location of HaMakhtesh HaGadol
LocationSouth, Israel
Coordinates30°55′30″N 34°58′52″E / 30.92500°N 34.98111°E / 30.92500; 34.98111Coordinates: 30°55′30″N 34°58′52″E / 30.92500°N 34.98111°E / 30.92500; 34.98111
Length12 km (7.5 mi)
Width5 km (3.1 mi)
Area60 km2 (23 sq mi)
OperatorIsrael Nature and Parks Authority
The Matmor Formation near the northern rim of Makhtesh Gadol

HaMakhtesh HaGadol (Hebrew: הַמַּכְתֵּשׁ הַגָּדוֹל, lit. The Big Crater) is a makhtesh, a geological erosional landform of Israel's Negev desert. It measures 5 x 10 km.

A makhtesh has steep walls of resistant rock surrounding a deep closed valley. One of five makhteshim in Israel and seven in the world, HaMakhtesh HaGadol is the second largest, being exceptional in that it is drained by one river, Nahal Hatira. Makatesh Gadol was discovered and named before Makhtesh Ramon which is the largest Makhtesh in Israel.

HaMakhtesh HaGadol is near Yeruham, Israel's first development town, established in the early days of the state. The location was chosen because the region was thought to be rich in natural resources.

See also


This page was last updated at 2022-06-16 06:16 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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