Hexagon pool
The Hexagon Pool (Hebrew: בריכת המשושים) (Breichat HaMeshushim) is a natural pool in the Meshushim Reserve, part of the Yehudiya Forest Nature Reserve, in central Golan Heights.
The pool, at the bottom of a canyon, is named in reference to the shape of the hexagonal basalt pillars that make up its walls. This geological formation was created by the slow cooling of layers of lava flows over a long period. When the lava solidified and cooled, it was split into polygonal shapes due to its contraction. [1]
Geology
A cascade of water, such as a waterfall, created the pool. The walls are columns of basalt in angular formations that appear man-made. The columns reach a height of approximately 5 metres (16 ft), and most have five or six sides. The diameter of each column is between 30 and 40 centimetres (1.0 and 1.3 ft). Walls of basalt columns exist in other places in the Golan Heights, along the Hexagon River and Zavitan River. The water temperature rarely exceeds 18 °C (64 °F), even in summer.
Hiking
The easiest access is 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) north of the city of Had Nes on Route 888 where a junction leads to the Nature Reserve. From there a 30-minute downhill walk leads to the pool.
See also
References
External links
- Israel Nature and Parks Authority
- Israel travel secrets
- Society for the protection of nature in Israel (hebrew)
Coordinates: 32°56′19″N 35°39′56″E / 32.93861°N 35.66556°E