The desert that we see today in Arabia was once a region that repeatedly underwent “green” periods in the past, as a result of periods of high rainfall, resulting in the formation of lakes and rivers about 9,000 years ago. The desert that we see today in Arabia was once a region that repeatedly underwent “green” periods in the past, as a result of periods of high rainfall, resulting in the formation of lakes and rivers about 9,000 years ago. Earth Sciences Environment Phys.org – latest science and technology news stories