The blast in the area to the south of the Dead Sea registered three points on the Richter scale but did not cause any damage, the Lod-based institute said. The charge was buried 30 meters (98 feet) under the desert's surface.

Three similar explosive tests would take place later this year as part of a joint programme between the two neighbouring countries seismology centers.

The Jordan valley, Dead Sea and the Arava desert all lie on the Syria-Africa faultline, one of the most sensitive seismology zones in the world.

Hundreds of people were killed in a tremor in 1927 that registered 6.2 on the Richter scale and which had its epicenter near the Dead Sea.

TERRA.WIRE