Drill core study unveils spatial variability in the formation of midlatitude Asia's large deserts

A research team led by Professor Xin Wang from Lanzhou University and Professor Fahu Chen from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has uncovered new insights into the evolution of the Taklimakan Desert, the world’s second-largest shifting desert. Published in Science Bulletin, the study offers key findings on desert formation and its implications for global dust storms and climate systems.

By analyzing a 200-meter drill core from the desert’s center, researchers found that a modern-like desert landscape began forming about 300,000 years ago. This conclusion stems from the persistent accumulation of aeolian sand and the absence of fluvial and lacustrine sediments, indicating that rivers and lakes no longer reached the desert's core, even during warmer, wetter periods.

While the study does not precisely date the initial formation of the Taklimakan Desert, it suggests it predates 1.8 million years ago. This is much older than the Badain Jaran and Tengger Deserts, which started forming around 1.1 million and 0.9 million years ago, respectively. These findings reveal significant variation in the timing and processes of desert formation across midlatitude Asia.

The researchers highlight the need for additional drilling to better understand how climate change and tectonic forces have influenced desert landscapes. They will continue analyzing the full 1,340-meter drill core to further explore the evolution of these large desert systems and their contributions to global dust flux and climate patterns.

“The Taklimakan Desert plays a critical role in supplying dust to the Northern Hemisphere, but its formation is still poorly understood,” said Professor Xin Wang. “This study is just the beginning of our journey to unravel the desert’s history and its broader climate impacts.”

This research enhances our understanding of long-term environmental changes in one of the world’s most significant dust sources, offering insights into how desert systems may respond to future climate changes.

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