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The maximum annual rainfall is approximately 100 mm there. The
average altitude of this desert is almost 600 m above sea level
(ASL) and the lowest point near "khabis" is almost 300m ASL. In
Kavir-e-Lut, large amount of sand is always moving southward forming sand
hills and running sand masses.
Dasht-e-Kavir is a geological pit almost at the north of Kavir-e-Lut. The
minimum altitude of this desert is 400 m ASL. The major part of
Dasht-e-Kavir is covered by sand and pebbles and exposed to strong winds
and storms that set salt-combined sand in motion like sea waves. At times,
this phenomenon forms long sand hills of 40m high.
From structural point of view, Dasht-e-Kavir is very much different form
Kavir-e-Lut. The difference of temperature between days and nights during
a year in Dasht-e-Kavir is between 0 and 70 degrees C.
The
Ecological Conditions of the Desert
Some of the ecological features of the deserts in
Iran
are strong sunshine, relatively little humidity, little rainfall and
excessive vaporization. Depending upon how far a point is from higher
altitudes, temperature is varied.
A
point far from altitudes can reach up to 60 degrees C during summer. The
average temperature during January and May are 22 degrees C and 40 degrees
C respectively. In general, the ecological conditions of the deserts in
Iran are so severe that they are not tolerable either in summer or winter.
It rarely snow there. The annual relative humidity is below %30. During
summer, it decreases, at times, down to %0. It usually rains during winter
and sometimes showers that leads to wash away the earth. It goes without
saying that there cannot be proper and enough soil and water for plants to
grow. Since these regions are always open to winds and there are not
sufficient plants to preserve soil, wind erodes the earth and brings about
losses. Therefore, blocking winds by wood-made walls and planting shrubs
and trees are carried out to confront the destructive natural forces.
Living
Situation in the Deserts
It is always water that determines life situation everywhere. Again it is
only water that helps plants grow and people stay in an area within the
desert. Water is not easily accessible at every corner of the deserts.
Life goes on at the areas where water can be found in springs or through
the ancient technique of making underground aqueducts called kariz (qanat). At times, semi-deep wells are dug to get water. So, desert dwellers
make the most of the minimum water they get. Local people use the highly
tolerant animals, camels, to travel through the desert. Usually vine or
similar trees with deep going roots are planted so that they could
survive.
Making
a Living in the Deserts
People live only in oases in small scales and they rely on farming,
herding animals and migrating. They have to plant wheat, barley, fruit
trees and alike. In some areas, farming is also in vain. So, they have to
make a living just by herding cattle. When neither of the above helps,
they have to migrate to somewhere else in search for better living
conditions.
Accommodation
& Clothing
Sun-dried brick, raw mud and in some areas a limited quantity of stone are
the only constructional materials used to build houses. Walls have to be
built very thick for the sake of insulation and roofs have to be built in
cupola or vaulted forms to last longer.
People are usually dressed in bright colors and clothing is mostly made of
cotton. They are loose and long unless people are influenced by city
dwellers? culture.
Although the Iranian plateau forces its compelling situations, its
inhabitants struggle for preserving living conditions. These hard working
people, who have been struggling for thousands of years in the desert,
will not give up so easily.
Written By: Rahman
Mehraby
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