How do desert oases get their water?
Quick Answer
Oases are usually fed by groundwater that reaches the surface through springs or shallow aquifers. Some are supplied by ancient water trapped underground for thousands of years.
The Full Story
An oasis appears where underground water is naturally available at or near the surface in an otherwise dry region. The water may rise along faults, emerge from springs, or be reached where the water table is shallow enough for plants to grow. In some deserts, the water comes from distant mountain rainfall that infiltrated the ground long ago and slowly traveled underground. Human wells can also create or expand oasis settlements by tapping aquifers. Historic oasis routes were vital along caravan trails such as those across the Sahara and Central Asia.
Key Facts
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