How do you find water in the desert, arid climates, and future deserts (desertification)?
Ancient wells (khettaras) in Morocco:
An ancient solution to creating a reliable water supply in the desert was developed in Iran more than 3,000 years ago.
Qanats are man-made subterranean tunnels that lead groundwater to the surface for irrigation. Today these wells are found in the Middle East, Asia, North Africa and Europe.
Cross-section of an ancient well (qanat):
This ancient well relies on gravity. A series of vertical shafts is built, often starting under the foothills of mountains. These shafts are connected by gently sloping tunnels.
The wells can deliver large quantities of subterranean water
without the need for pumping. Water is transported over long distance in hot dry climates without significant loss due to seepage and evaporation.
An important advantage of the qanat system is it's relatively immune to natural disasters (earthquakes, floods) and destruction during war.
Further reading:
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