How have the Gobi Desert’s lakes changed during the Holocene Epoch?

During the Holocene Epoch, which encompasses approximately the last 11,700 years, the lakes of the Gobi Desert have experienced a significant reduction in size.1

This historical shrinkage is evidenced by the presence of lake terraces that are now situated considerably higher than and farther from the current shorelines. Specific examples of this decline include:1

• Lake Orog and Lake Bööntsagaan: Located in the easternmost Mongolian Altai, these bodies of water are now described as shadows of their former selves.1
• Lake Ulaan: Situated in the northwestern Gobi Altai, this lake has similarly diminished in size over the course of the epoch.1

These changes reflect the broader environmental evolution of the region, where surface water is generally scarce and drainage is largely subterranean.1