KAUST study reveals Empty Quarter once had vast lake, river system

The Empty Quarter was not always barren — a study by several universities reveals that this region once had a lake and river system. (Supplied)
The Empty Quarter was not always barren — a study by several universities reveals that this region once had a lake and river system. (Supplied)
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Updated 13 April 2025
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KAUST study reveals Empty Quarter once had vast lake, river system

The Empty Quarter was not always barren — a study by several universities reveals that region once had a lake and river system.
  • Empty Quarter, or Rub Al-Khali, is one of the world’s largest deserts, covering nearly 650,000 sq. km, mostly in Saudi Arabia, with dunes reaching 250 meters

RIYADH: The Empty Quarter, a vast desert on the Arabian Peninsula, was not always barren — a study by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, the University of Geneva, Griffith University, California Institute of Technology, the University of Texas, and the University of the Fraser Valley reveals that this region once had a lake and river system.

These favorable conditions supported grasslands and savannahs, enabling human migration until droughts forced populations to move, according to a study published in the Communications Earth & Environment scientific journal.

The study was led by KAUST Professor Abdulkader M. Afifi, with researchers Antoine Delaunay and Guillaume Baby from KAUST, and Abdallah Zaki from the University of Geneva. It highlights the impact of climate cycles on landscapes and human societies.

The Empty Quarter, or Rub Al-Khali, is one of the world’s largest deserts, covering nearly 650,000 sq. km, mostly in Saudi Arabia, with dunes reaching 250 meters. However, it was once much more hospitable.

“Beneath Rub Al-Khali’s desolate sands lies a vibrant past of lakes and rivers,” Delaunay said. “Our study highlights the transformative power of climate on Arabian landscapes and human occupation; further research is essential to understanding these complex interactions.”

These water sites emerged during the “Green Arabia” period, from 11,000 to 5,500 years ago, at the end of the Quaternary era. The lake, covering 1,100 sq. km and up to 42 meters deep, eventually overflowed, carving a 150 km-long valley in the desert.

Based on sediments and landforms traced over 1,000 km, scientists suggest that rains from the northward expansion of the African and Indian monsoons fed these ancient waterholes. These wet phases varied in duration, favoring grasslands and savannahs, which enabled human expansion across the Arabian Peninsula.

This study is part of KAUST’s broader effort to understand climate, landscape, environment and human habitation in the region. KAUST Professor Frans Van Buchem leads another team studying ancient lakes in Wadi Al-Dawasir and their impact on human occupation near Al-Faw, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

‘‘The formation of lake and river landscapes, along with grasslands and savannahs, would have facilitated the expansion of hunting, gathering, and pastoral groups into what is now a dry, barren desert,’’ said Michael Petraglia, a professor of archaeology at Griffith University’s Australian Research Center for Human Evolution. ‘‘This is confirmed by abundant archaeological evidence found in the Empty Quarter and along its ancient lake and river systems,’’ he said.

About 6,000 years ago, a sharp decline in rainfall resulted in arid conditions that forced nomadic populations to migrate to more hospitable areas.

These findings highlight the role of the African monsoon in transforming the Arabian Peninsula’s desert landscape and shaping human migration. This narrative of climate change and human movement is crucial to understanding the potential impacts of current climate change.


Jeddah roadshow promotes Malaysia’s tourism, seeks more Saudi visitors

Jeddah roadshow promotes Malaysia’s tourism, seeks more Saudi visitors
Updated 4 sec ago
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Jeddah roadshow promotes Malaysia’s tourism, seeks more Saudi visitors

Jeddah roadshow promotes Malaysia’s tourism, seeks more Saudi visitors
  • Group included representatives from private sector companies, travel agents and hoteliers
  • Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing discussed preparations for the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign

JEDDAH: Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Malaysia’s minister of tourism, arts and culture, led a delegation to Jeddah for a roadshow and business-to-business networking event aimed at exploring tourism opportunities between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.

Accompanied by Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, director general of Tourism Malaysia, the group included representatives from private sector companies, travel agents and hoteliers to network and form strategic alliances with buyers, travel agents and airlines from the Kingdom.

In his remarks, the minister discussed preparations for the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, which aims to attract 35.6 million tourists, focusing on increasing Malaysia’s visibility, improving accessibility, and enhancing the appeal of its tourism.

Speaking to Arab News, the minister said: “We are here to discuss further collaborations and launch the Visit Malaysia 2026 roadshow in Jeddah. Our annual roadshow allows us to showcase new offerings and strengthen partnerships with Saudi tour operators.”

Regarding Saudi tourist arrivals, he said: “We expect a rise in visitors from the Arab world, especially from Saudi Arabia, which has the largest percentage of visitors from the Middle East.”

He added: “Saudi Arabia has been a key market for Malaysia for years, and with Visit Malaysia 2026 approaching, we are targeting more visitors than last year, which reached 68,000.”

He asked everyone to work more vigorously and closely with Tourism Malaysia to send more Saudis to Malaysia, to observe its beauty and experience the sights and sounds of “Malaysia Truly Asia.”


Makkah launches digital tools to enrich Hajj pilgrims’ experience

Makkah launches digital tools to enrich Hajj pilgrims’ experience
Updated 22 min 47 sec ago
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Makkah launches digital tools to enrich Hajj pilgrims’ experience

Makkah launches digital tools to enrich Hajj pilgrims’ experience
  • Second version of AI-powered robot Manarah 2 launched
  • Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais reveals Hajj plan Thursday 

MAKKAH: The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has launched several digital tools to enhance the spiritual experience of pilgrims during the Hajj season. 

The initiative aims to convey the universal message of Hajj and highlight its Shariah objectives in multiple languages. 

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency, inaugurated the second version of the artificial intelligence-powered robot Manarah 2. 

The launch included several smart interactive screens, a global electronic recitation platform, and a multilingual Surah Al-Fatiha app. 

During the Hajj season, the presidency is focused on enhancing the digital experience through integrated services, AI, smart apps, and media, in line with its broader transformation goals.

The initiative also supports Vision 2030 by utilizing advanced digital tools and content developed by local experts to promote the values of moderation and guidance rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah. 

The presidency’s Hajj operational plan, to be announced on Thursday, will prioritize enriching the pilgrim experience and will include scientific, educational, and guidance-based initiatives that reflect its core mission.


Saudi Arabia makes strides in Vision 2030, workplace safety

Saudi Arabia makes strides in Vision 2030, workplace safety
Updated 05 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia makes strides in Vision 2030, workplace safety

Saudi Arabia makes strides in Vision 2030, workplace safety
  • Vice environment minister highlights Kingdom’s focus on human capital, sustainability at Riyadh conference

Riyadh: Vice Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour Al-Mushaiti has highlighted Saudi Arabia’s significant progress toward Vision 2030, with 93 percent of annual indicators met and 85 percent of initiatives either completed or on track.

Speaking at the Global Occupational Safety and Health Conference in Riyadh, he emphasized the environment sector’s commitment to sustainability and the prioritization of worker safety across all development projects.

Al-Mushaiti underscored the Kingdom’s focus on human capital, demonstrated by the establishment of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health and the adoption of international best practices.

He noted the water sector’s achievement of more than 190 million safe work hours and a sub-45-second emergency response time with zero serious incidents during large-scale project implementation, which he attributed to robust safety management systems.

The conference, held from May 4-6 under the theme “The Future of Occupational Safety and Health,” brings together senior officials, experts, and specialists from Saudi Arabia and around the world to explore future directions and challenges in global labor markets.

Al-Mushaiti also outlined environmental protection efforts, including a noise and light pollution monitoring program in major cities, citing potential productivity gains of more than 11 percent, according to the World Green Building Council.

He highlighted the success of the Saudi Green Initiative, which has led to the planting of more than 141 million trees, the rehabilitation of more than 313,000 hectares of degraded land, and the protection of more than 4 million hectares.

These environmental advances enhance worker safety and contribute to safer, more sustainable work environments, Al-Mushaiti said.

In agriculture, Al-Mushaiti affirmed the ministry’s adoption of Saudi Good Agricultural Practices standards, with 142 facilities accredited for safe practices, advanced pesticide control systems, and smart awareness platforms that have reduced pesticide residues to below 2 percent.

The three-day conference features scientific sessions, 60 workshops, 20 dialogue sessions, and the Global Occupational Safety and Health Hackathon, showcasing 30 innovative projects.


Thousands worldwide benefit from KSrelief medical programs

Thousands worldwide benefit from KSrelief medical programs
Updated 05 May 2025
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Thousands worldwide benefit from KSrelief medical programs

Thousands worldwide benefit from KSrelief medical programs
  • On Saturday, the organization also concluded its volunteer open-heart surgery and catheterization project in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief completed medical programs in Tajikistan, Turkiye, and Tanzania, in line with the organization’s aim to support injured people worldwide.

The Saudi Noor Campaign, which will conclude on May 6, is tackling blindness in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

The medical team examined 1,731 cases, assigned 198 prescription glasses, performed 60 operations and provided medication to 857 patients.

In Reyhanli district, Türkiye, KSrelief carried out a prosthetics and rehabilitation program.

With a team of 13 specialists, they fitted 36 individuals with prosthetics and 40 orthopedic splints.

On Saturday, the organization also concluded its volunteer open-heart surgery and catheterization project in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

The team performed 133 open-heart catheterizations and 15 open-heart operations.

 


KSrelief continues humanitarian initiatives in Yemen and Syria

KSrelief continues humanitarian initiatives in Yemen and Syria
Updated 05 May 2025
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KSrelief continues humanitarian initiatives in Yemen and Syria

KSrelief continues humanitarian initiatives in Yemen and Syria

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues to launch volunteer programs throughout the Arab world to address humanitarian crises and improve the health of Yemeni and Syrian people.

In Damascus, the team completed three volunteer initiatives that supported hundreds with disaster response, administrative training, and psychosocial support for women and children. The program ran from April 26 to May 3.

In Yemen, meanwhile, KSrelief completed the first phase of an outreach vaccination campaign in the Aden governorate in collaboration with Yemen’s Minister of Public Health and Population Qasem Buhaibeh.

On Friday, the organization launched vocational training courses in Wadi Hadhramaut, Yemen, to improve the livelihood of locals and boost economic development.

The project targeted 1,500 people and focused on home appliance maintenance, carpentry, vehicle repair, men’s tailoring, beekeeping, plumbing, photography, and electricity and energy.