Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System

aquifer, Africa

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July 21, 2026

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The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System is a vast underground reservoir of "fossil" water, meaning it entered the ground when rainfall in the Sahara was much more abundant than today. This aquifer is primarily located in North Africa, extending across large areas and reaching depths of over 3,000 feet. It is a significant source of artesian water in Egypt and Algeria, and in Sudan, it can lie directly on Precambrian bedrock, containing underground water layers of local importance. The aquifer is part of the Continental Intercalary series, dating back to the early Cretaceous Period, and is considered the most important water-bearing layer in the Sahara.1

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…is the water of the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System, which extends through several countries in an area that is now the Sahara. The water is being used extensively for water supply and irrigation purposes. Radioisotope dating techniques have shown that this water is many thousands of years old. Similarly, the
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…is the water of the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System, which extends through several countries in an area that is now the Sahara. The water is being used extensively for water supply and irrigation purposes. Radioisotope dating techniques have shown that this water is many thousands of years old. Similarly, the
Read More