History of Desert in Timeline
Deserts are defined by low precipitation, resulting in distinct ecosystems and exposed ground susceptible to erosion. Covering about one-third of Earth's land surface, including polar regions sometimes called "cold deserts," they are classified based on precipitation levels, temperature, causes of desertification, and geographical location.
1933: "Desert Places" by Robert Frost
American poet Robert Frost published his evocative work "Desert Places" in 1933, reflecting on themes of isolation and vast emptiness.
1942: Allied Victory at El Alamein
The Second World War's Western Desert Campaign saw a turning point in 1942 when Allied forces secured a crucial victory against Axis troops at El Alamein in Egypt.
1961: Meigs' Desert Classification System
In 1961, Peveril Meigs introduced a system for classifying deserts based on precipitation, categorizing them as extremely arid, arid, or semiarid. This system is widely used today.
1971: Atacama Desert Rainfall Records
Evidence suggests that the Atacama Desert in Chile may not have experienced any significant rainfall between 1570 and 1971, highlighting its extreme aridity.
2001: Massive Dust Storm in China
A significant dust storm swept across China in 2001, involving an estimated 6.5 million tons of dust and affecting an area of 134,000,000 square kilometers, demonstrating the scale of these events.