Underground Ocean under the Takla Makan Desert

The Takla Makan Desert is a vast sea of ​​sand under the hot sun of Central Asia. It lies in the western part of China, occupying the Tarim Depression, between the Tien Shan mountains in the north and Kunlun in the south. This desert is considered the worst in the world. It was here that an incredible number of travelers and merchants died, entire caravans disappeared without a trace, and the name of this second largest desert area in the world is translated from ancient Uigur as "Come in - you won't get out." According to another version, Takla-Makan means "abandoned place", which also correctly reflects the state of affairs. For hundreds of kilometers there are no residential places, only the ruins of medieval cities long abandoned by residents.

In the XX century, when China entered the era of industrialization and rapid economic development, the country's leadership turned its gaze to the west. In the Takla Makan desert, according to scientists, significant oil reserves could be stored. Therefore, the Chinese government in the 1980s began to actively study this lifeless land. Under the most difficult conditions, explorationists traveled deep into the desert, kilometer by kilometer, drilling and taking rock samples for further study. Oil was believed to have been discovered at Takla Makan, bringing vibrant life, production, and infrastructure to the endless sands.

But, as it turned out, black gold is not the main wealth of the desert. Specialists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have discovered that an abnormally high carbon dioxide absorption occurs in this lifeless area. Similar processes are usually observed over forests or water bodies, but for the desert this is uncharacteristic. Interested in this phenomenon, scientists went in search of its causes. Surprise knew no bounds when huge amounts of water were discovered under the strata of sand. According to rough estimates, the volume of water under the desert exceeds the reserves of the Great Lakes in America at times. True, the sudden joy of the find was somewhat overshadowed by the fact that water has a high degree of mineralization and is not suitable for drinking. But it can be used for the needs of industry or agriculture. There is no doubt that in a country such as China, it will certainly find application.

According to experts, water under the desert has accumulated as a result of its geological structure. Located in a vast hollow surrounded by large mountain systems, Takla Makan is a natural place for the flow of melt spring water. But, as it turned out, not all water evaporates under the scorching rays of the sun and dissolves without a trace in this sandy sea. Some part, penetrating through the sands, accumulates above the water-resistant rocks and forms a huge accumulation of water, which experts have dubbed the "underground ocean".

This amazing discovery prompted scientists to reconsider their former views on the structure of the desert regions of the planet. In the American Mojave Desert, where the famous Death Valley is located, there is also excessive carbon uptake. Therefore, the researchers hope that there may also be previously unknown water supplies.

Watch the video: Huge Hidden Ocean Found Under China (May 2024).