Scientists Reveal Secrets of Earth’s Magnificent Desert Star Dunes

6 Mar 2024

Context: 

Recently, Scientists unveiled the first in-depth study of a star dune, revealing the internal structure of these geological features and the process of its formation.

  • The study focused upon a star dune in eastern Morocco called Lala Lallia, meaning “highest sacred point” in the local Berber language, situated within the Sahara Desert.

About Star Dunes

Star Dunes

  • Star dunes – or pyramid dunes – are named after their distinctive shapes and reach hundreds of metres in height. 
  • They are found in Africa, Asia and North America, as well as on Mars – but experts had never before been able to put a date on when they were formed.
  • They make up just under 10% of Earth’s desert dunes.
  • Formed in areas with complex wind regimes, where winds blow from different directions, leading to net sand accumulation and the formation of giant dunes.
  • Star dunes are the tallest and most complex type of sand dunes, surpassing other types such as crescent-shaped barchan dunes and linear dunes.

Formation and Age Determination

  • Formed by opposing winds that change direction, leading to the distinctive shape.
  • The luminescence dating technique was used to determine the age of Lala Lallia and similar dunes.
  • Age Determination Method: It measures the amount of energy trapped within sand grains, indicating when they were last exposed to daylight.
  • Allows scientists to understand the wind patterns and climate of the era when the dunes formed.

Global Distribution:

Lala Lallia Star Dune

  • Formed about 900 years ago, located in eastern Morocco within the Sahara Desert, specifically in the Erg Chebbi sand sea near Merzouga.
  • Approximately 330 feet (100 meters) high and 2,300 feet (700 meters) wide.
  • Moving westerly at a speed of about 1.6 feet (0.5 meters) annually.
Also Read: Landforms And Their Evolution

News Source: The Hindu

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