Sandstorms both bury and preserve ancient ruins
Powerful sandstorms in arid deserts sweep across landscapes, burying ancient ruins under vast layers of sand, both concealing and preserving humanity's forgotten histories.
Massive sandstorms, often called haboobs, sweep across deserts, carrying immense amounts of sand at speeds over 60 miles per hour. These powerful winds have repeatedly buried ancient cities like Palmyra in the Syrian desert, sometimes for centuries. Yet, this natural phenomenon also acts as a remarkable preserver. Sites such as Egypt's Valley of the Whales, dating back 40 million years, have been perfectly protected from erosion and human interference under layers of sand. With deserts covering a third of Earth's land, and climate change potentially increasing storm frequency, countless undiscovered ruins may lie hidden beneath the sands, awaiting discovery by modern technology like ground-penetrating radar.