Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System facts for kids
The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System is like a giant underground lake. It holds a huge amount of ancient water, making it the biggest known fossil water system in the world! This hidden water source is found deep beneath the eastern part of the Sahara Desert. It stretches across four countries in North-East Africa: Sudan, Chad, Libya, and Egypt.
What is the Great Man-made River?
One of the biggest projects using this water is the Great Man-made River Project (GMMR) in Libya. This amazing project takes about 2.4 cubic kilometers of fresh water from the aquifer every year. That's a lot of water! It's used for drinking and for agriculture, helping plants grow in the desert. The aquifer also provides water to the Kufra oasis, a green spot in the middle of the desert.
Images for kids
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The transport of pipe segments for the Great Manmade River in the Sahara desert, Libya, during the 1980s. This huge network of pipes supplies water from the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System. It's the world's largest irrigation project!
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A map showing the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System.
See also
In Spanish: Sistema acuífero de piedra arenisca de Nubia para niños
