Why The Dhofar Desert In Oman Is One Of The Toughest Places To Live

Living in the desert may be challenging due to the hot weather, the lack of water and food, and the hardship of using the lands and planting. Yet, there are the Bedouins who have lived their entire lives in the deserts, mostly in the Arab Peninsula, and adapted to its cruel nature. However, one desert has been proven to be one of the toughest places to live on Earth – the Dhofar desert in Oman.

According to the Austrian Space Forum, the Dhofar desert has a very close resemblance to the features of the surface of the planet Mars. This makes it a perfect spot where researchers can conduct experiments to imitate how life would be on Mars, which will further help with planning for the trip there in the 2030s. So, how does the desert resemble this planet?

The Sedimentary Structures

The sedimentary structures are visible features in the sedimentary rocks which reflect the semblances of the physical and biological processes that took place in the depositional environments. These structures in the Dhofar desert are very similar to those that exist on Mars.

The Salt Domes

Salt domes are a structure that was formed of evaporite salt, found at depth, which intruded upwards into a sedimentary rock forming a dome. The salt domes of the Dhofar desert resemble those of Mars as well.

The Ancient River Beds

An ancient river bed is an old channel which a river used to run through before it was dried.

How will the Austrian Space Forum operate their experiment in the desert?

First of all, the experiment is set to start in February 2018, when six astronauts will spend around four weeks in the desert, in complete isolation. During this period, they will conduct 19 experiments as a dress rehearsal for the first manned voyage to Mars. Carrying some robotic rovers, an inflatable hydroponic greenhouse and a drone, they plan to retrace the footsteps of Marco Polo and the English explorer Wilfred Thesiger on the Dhofar desert.

#Oman could soon be the staging ground for #astronauts making trips to #Mars in the future. https://t.co/dlIFBFx0Ee @oewf pic.twitter.com/PUKNjeNNJg
— Times of Oman (@timesofoman) September 6, 2017
Gernot Grömer, the President of the Austrian Space forum and the project’s director, said that this will be the biggest mission the forum has ever done. One of its most important experiments will be a full simulation to life on Mars. Maybe it’s true then, Oman has a piece of land that is out of this planet.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.