What is a fertile area in a desert where water is found called?
a) Delta
b) Oasis
c) Lagoon
d) Strait
Answer: b) Oasis
Explanation
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Oasis: An oasis is a isolated, fertile spot in an arid desert environment where fresh water is naturally accessible at or near the surface.
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Formation: An oasis typically forms when underground aquifers or natural springs break through the surface, or where deep land depressions reach the local water table.
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Ecological & Human Role: Because water is continuously available, palm trees (like date palms), crops, and lush vegetation thrive here, making oases critical stops for trade caravans and settlements in desert regions.
Overview of Other Options
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a) Delta: A triangular landform formed by sediment deposition where a river meets a standing body of water like a sea or lake (e.g., Sundarbans Delta).
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c) Lagoon: A shallow body of water separated from a larger body of water (usually the ocean) by reefs, barrier islands, or sandbanks (e.g., Chilika Lake in Odisha).
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d) Strait: A narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water (e.g., Palk Strait connecting the Bay of Bengal with the Gulf of Mannar).
