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GEOGRAPHY
Physical - Topography
Oldest Deserts
This list features the oldest deserts on Planet Earth.
RANK | DESERT | LOCATION | AGE |
1 | Namib | Southern Africa | 55-80 million |
2 | Kalahari | Southern Africa | 60 million |
3 | Gobi | China Mongolia | 30 million |
4 | Karakum | Turkmenistan | 30 million |
5 | Kyzylkum | Uzbekistan; Kazakhstan | 20 million |
6 | Antarctica | Antarctica | 15 million |
7 | Atacama | Chile | 10-15 million |
8 | Colorado Plateau | United States | 10-15 million |
9 | Arabian | Saudi Arabia | 10 million |
10 | Great Sandy | Australia | 10 million |
11 | Thar | India; Pakistan | 10 million |
12 | Chihuahuan | United States; Mexico | 10 million |
13 | Sahara | North Africa | 7 million |
14 | Taklamakan | China | 5.3 million |
15 | Simpson | Australia | 5 million |
16 | Patagonian | Argentina | 5 million |
17 | Lut | Iran | 5 million |
References
B. S. (2014). Deserts of India: The Thar Desert. Springer. pp. 25-30. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
D. W. (2012). The Patagonian Desert: Ecology and Conservation. Cambridge University Press. pp. 20-25. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
E. S. (1998). The Taklamakan Desert: History and Climate. Cambridge University Press. pp. 55-60. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
F. A. M. M. Z. (2018). The Sahara: A Cultural History. Oxford University Press. pp. 150-155. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
H. B. (1998). The Arabian Desert: A Natural History. Oxford University Press. pp. 12-18. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
H. J. (2010). The Great Sandy Desert: A Guide to the Flora and Fauna. Australian National University Press. pp. 70-75. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
K. S. (2012). Lut Desert: Geographical Features and Climate. Cambridge University Press. pp. 45-50. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
McFadden, L. D. (2005). Atacama Desert: The Driest Place on Earth. University of California Press. pp. 10-15. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
M. A. (2008). Simpson Desert: Ecology and Management. University of Queensland Press. pp. 10-15. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
M. E. (2010). Chihuahuan Desert: A Natural History. University of Arizona Press. pp. 45-50. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
O. K. (1993). The Gobi: The World’s Largest Desert. University of Chicago Press. pp. 40-45. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
R. S. (2001). Karakum Desert: Climate and Geography. Springer. pp. 20-25. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
R. S. (2001). Kyzylkum Desert: Climate and Geography. Springer. pp. 60-65. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
Seely, M. K., & W. D. (1995). The Namib: A Desert for All Seasons. Windhoek: Namib Ecological Restoration Project. pp. 25-30. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
Thomas, D. S. G., & Shaw, P. A. (1991). The Kalahari Environment. Cambridge University Press. pp. 50-55. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
W. D. (2006). The Geology of Antarctica. Cambridge University Press. pp. 215-220. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
W. W. (2007). The Colorado Plateau: A Geologic History. University of Utah Press. pp. 85-90. (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
Available at: https://www.oldest.org/nature/deserts/ (Accessed: 6 July 2025)
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