ELIF: How does a desert oasis work? What causes them and how do they last so long?

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ELIF: How does a desert oasis work? What causes them and how do they last so long?

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4 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Underneath the earth there can be random layers of rock that water doesnt seep through, which are called aquitards and the water that sits in the sand above it is called the aquifer. So the Oasis likely forms from rainfall (or a pre-existing underground river) that didnt seep super far because conveniently below is a rock form in a shape that can hold ground water high enough to make it accessible to vegetation above.

Source: My GEO 101 exam is this week so I mean I could be wrong

Anonymous 0 Comments

usually formed from a below ground aquifer or river and eventually make it to the surface. i’m not entirely sure how the plants get there but i do know that the ones that grow are important in protecting the water source from shifting sands and other environmental events that could cause it to dry up.

Anonymous 0 Comments

It’s usually the lowest point in an area where all the water drains to.

(https://youtu.be/nuJ6QTZdvxM)

Anonymous 0 Comments

As well as the explanations of actual bodies of water in the comments, I believe the phenomenon of an “oasis” can be an illusion caused by extreme refraction of light. The extreme heat from the sand can refract the “blue” light from the sky and cause an illusion of “blue” water in the distance on the ground.

I’m sure someone else can explain this phenomenon better.