Book 16, Question 106
What Is Fossil Water, and Why Is It So Old?
Fossil water is underground water that fell as rain a very long time ago! Under parts of the Sahara, some of it fell more than 20,000 years ago, when the climate was wetter. It stayed trapped deep in rock ever since.
More fun facts
- Fossil water is very old water stored deep underground.
- Scientists call water fossil water when it last touched the air more than about 10,000 years ago.
- Some fossil water in the desert has been underground for about 20,000 years.
- Some aquifers under the Sahara hold water up to 75,000 years old.
- They were found by people exploring for oil in the 1950s.
- Using fossil water too fast can make much of it impossible to pump out.
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey, National Geographic, BBC
Questions kids ask
How old can fossil water be?
Some aquifers under the Sahara hold water up to 75,000 years old.