Ever wondered what mounds, ridges, and hills in the desert are made of? These beauties are called dunes and are composed of wind- or water-driven sand. Moreover, dunes are seen in areas where the vegetation is minimal. Dunes are also found in coastal regions as beaches. The accumulation of sand is categorized as a dune when it grows over 7 centimeters and forms ripples. Dunes can grow as sand particles accumulate when several dunes accumulate in an area called a dune belt or dune field. Surprisingly, dunes aren’t just found in deserts. They can also be seen in underwater bodies.
Let’s dig more sand and read interesting facts about dunes.
Could you scroll and read them carefully? After all, it would help if you had something to boast about when you visit the next desert trip.
Sand Dunes: Top 5 Facts
1. Great Sand Dune Park
The millennials have found a new park activity: hiking dunes. The Great Sand Dunes of North America have the largest Sand Dunes in the world. The area of this place extends over 30 square miles. And the largest dune found here is Star Dune, about 755 feet in height. We highly recommend doing this activity in the evening or early morning as daytime heart can surely fill your body with sunburns.
2. Place for Fossil Search
Do you like going around places and looking for fossils? Then, deserts with dunes might be your place. Fossil search is another pass-time activity for most people of this generation. This can be supported by the fact that prehistoric treasures have been found in some deserts. Most of the deserts in the world were once covered with vegetation and rich fauna. But with changing climate, these places turned into deserts, and many animals died there. So, there is a huge chance that you will find the body part of some dead creature.
Also, read: Top 5 Facts About Egypt
3. Dunes Can be Seen in Multiple Shapes
Dunes that are seen in straight line format are linear. These are formed due to the same wind pressure from both sides. The dunes in the Sahara desert are star dunes. They have pointed ridges on at least three sides. Another type is dome dunes. These are circular and do not have a slip face. Also, some dunes are crescentic and represent the letter C.
4. Highest Sand Dune
Some dunes can even reach the height of a mountain. One such wonder is Cerro Blanco, in the Sechura Desert of Peru. It measures around 1176 meters.
5. Great Sand Dune Park Activities
The Great Sand Dunes National Park in North America has recently become a tourist destination. As the park offers many fun activities. People enjoy desert surfing, rafting, singing in the sand, and climbing up the dune peaks.
We hope you have enough knowledge about dunes now. Follow our page and don’t miss a single fact about the world.
