The Sahara Desert has an area of approximately 9,400,400 km2. While estimates of its average depth vary, they center around 150 m. One cm3 holds approximately 8,000 grains of sand.
e) A small dump truck can carry approximately 20.5 m3 of sand. Suppose a long line of dump trucks were to dump a load of sand every 30 seconds. How many years would it take to re-create the Sahara Desert?

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MrRoyal MrRoyal · Answer 1 · 2022-08-25T18:57:19+02:00

It would take 65433661 years to re-create the Sahara Desert

The given parameters are:

Surface area = 9,400,400 km^2

Depth = 150 m

This means that the volume is

Volume = Surface area * Depth

So, we have

Volume = 9,400,400 km^2 * 150 m

Express as meter square

Volume = 9,400,400 * 1000000 m^2 * 150 m

Evaluate the product

Volume = 9,400,400 * 150,000,000 m^3

A small dump holds 20.5 m^3 for 30 seconds.

So, the duration is:

Time = (9,400,400 * 150,000,000 m^3)/(20.5 m^3 per 30 seconds)

Evaluate the product and quotient

Time = 2.0635024e+15 seconds

1 second = 3.171e-8 year.

So, we have:

Time = 2.0635024e+15 * 3.171e-8 year

Evaluate the product

Time = 65433661.104 years

Approximate

Time = 65433661 years

Hence, it would take 65433661 years to re-create the Sahara Desert