Scientists have conducted the first comprehensive study of star dunes, unveiling the internal structure and formation timeline of these towering desert wonders.
Focusing on Morocco’s Lala Lallia dune, standing at 330 feet (100 meters) tall and 2,300 feet (700 meters) wide, researchers utilized ground-penetrating radar and luminescence dating.
The study revealed that Lala Lallia formed over about 900 years, accumulating 6,400 metric tons of sand annually as winds shape the desert landscape.
Star dunes, resembling pyramids with arms radiating from a central peak, account for under 10% of Earth’s dunes but are the tallest.
They’ve also been spotted on Mars and Saturn’s moon Titan. The findings, published in Scientific Reports, provide insights into the complex wind patterns and sand accumulation processes in deserts.
With Lala Lallia moving westward at 1.6 feet (0.5 meters) per year, the study sheds light on the dynamic nature of these geological formations, aiding in identifying ancient dunes in the geolog
ical record.
Star dunes, found across the globe from China’s Badain Jaran desert to Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park, create captivating and formidable landscapes.
Source: Oman News Agency
