Sahara sand dunes tower taller than skyscrapers
Powerful winds in the Sahara Desert sculpt and propel enormous sand dunes, some towering over 200 meters—taller than many skyscrapers—across vast, ever-changing sand seas.
In the Sahara Desert, vast sand seas called ergs feature colossal dunes, some reaching over 200 meters high. These towering formations, like those in Algeria's Grand Erg Oriental, surpass many skyscrapers in height, with individual dunes rivaling mid-rise buildings. Powerful winds, often exceeding 30 kilometers per hour, constantly reshape these dunes, moving them up to 20 meters annually. This dynamic process creates ever-changing landscapes, showcasing the immense power of wind to sculpt Earth's surface. Researchers study these shifts to understand ancient climates and predict future environmental changes.