Page 32 - BBC Focus Earth From Above - 2017 UK

MIDDLE EAST

IRA N

Swirling desert

Without topsoil or plant life, marbled
light and dark bands of rock are
clearly evident in this image of
central Iran’s Great Salt Desert
(Dasht-e Kavir). While much of the
area appears to be bone dry, it was
once a prehistoric ocean. Over time,
the water evaporated and layers of
salt beneath the surface have slowly
risen through soft, overlying rock to
form domes called diapirs, such as
the eye-like feature staring out from
the centre of the image.
PHOTO: NASA

D I D Y O U K N O W

o
70 C

The difference in day
and night temperatures
during a year.

IRAN
Dasht-e Kavir

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