Saudi Scientists Uncover 8 Million Years of Climate History

Post by: Layla Badr

A team of scientists in Saudi Arabia has made an amazing discovery about the climate history of the Arabian Peninsula, which goes back eight million years. The research, led by the Saudi Heritage Commission as part of the Kingdom’s Green Initiative, shows that parts of Arabia, which is now one of the driest places on Earth, were once full of life and lush green landscapes.

The scientists focused on studying cave formations in central Arabia, specifically in the Duhool Al Samman area, northeast of Riyadh. These formations, called speleothems, are mineral deposits that grow in caves over time. The team analyzed 22 of these speleothems from seven different cave systems. Some of these formations date back to around 7.44 million years ago. This is one of the longest and most accurate cave records ever found in the region.

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These speleothems give us a clear picture of the climate changes in the past. They show that there were times when the Arabian Peninsula was much wetter than it is today. During these humid periods, which occurred during different times like the late Miocene, early Pliocene, and middle Pleistocene epochs, there were rivers, lakes, and many animals living in the region. Fossils found in the area suggest that animals like crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and elephants lived there—animals that are no longer found in the region today.

These wet periods also created important routes for early humans and animals to travel between Africa and Eurasia. This means that Arabia played a significant role in the history of human evolution and animal migration. Fossils found in other areas, like the Baynunah Formation and the Nefud Desert, support this idea.

However, the study also shows that over time, the climate started changing, and the region became drier. The humid periods became shorter and less intense, especially after major global changes, like the ice age in the Northern Hemisphere. Around 700,000 years ago, after the mid-Pleistocene period, rainfall became less predictable and wasn’t enough to support the ecosystems that had once thrived there.

One of the most surprising findings in the study is how the source of rainfall changed. Scientists found that the rain once came mainly from the southern monsoons, but over time, it switched to rainfall from the north during winter. This shift in rainfall patterns is connected to changes in the global climate and helps us understand how the environment of Arabia has evolved.

This research not only changes what we know about the climate history of the Arabian Peninsula but also helps us understand the region’s role in ancient weather patterns, plant and animal life, and human migration. It shows that Arabia wasn’t always a dry desert but a place that was shaped by powerful climate changes over millions of years.

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