Mid-Holocene extreme precipitation in the Tibesti, Central Sahara

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Conflicts of Interest

Identified Weaknesses

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Paper Summary

Paperzilla title

Mediterranean Rain Made Sahara Lakes: One Got Way More!

This study found that during the mid-Holocene, precipitation from the Mediterranean Sea, driven by northerly winds, filled crater lakes in the Tibesti mountains, even though it's in the Sahara Desert. The Trou au Natron lake was much larger than the Era Kohor lake due to the mountains enhancing rainfall in the north, and winds blowing moisture away from the south.

Possible Conflicts of Interest

None identified.

Identified Weaknesses

Limitations of coarse-scale climate models

The study acknowledges the limitations of relying on coarse-scale climate models for paleoclimate simulations, as they often fail to accurately represent the impact of complex topography on precipitation patterns. This is especially important for mountain regions like the Tibesti where orographic effects are crucial.

Simplified assumptions in hydrological modeling

While the study utilizes high-resolution regional climate simulations to improve upon the limitations of global models, it still relies on simplified assumptions about factors like potential evaporation and runoff. These assumptions, while necessary due to limited data availability, introduce some uncertainty into the water balance calculations.

Limited scope of investigation

The study primarily focuses on two specific crater lakes and does not extensively explore other potential water sources or sinks in the Tibesti region. This limits the generalizability of the findings and leaves some questions open about the overall hydrological dynamics of the area during the mid-Holocene.

Rating Explanation

This study combines multiple lines of evidence, including sediment analysis, high-resolution climate modeling, and water balance modeling, to investigate a specific paleoclimatological question. The methodology is sound and the findings provide valuable insights into the hydrological dynamics of the central Sahara during the mid-Holocene. The limitations regarding model assumptions and scope are acknowledged, but do not significantly detract from the overall strength of the research.

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