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Sleeping sands of the Kalahari awaken after more than 10,000 years
In Africa's Kalahari desert, red sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see--and beyond. Kalahari dunes, asleep for more than 10,000 years, have awakened: They're moving across the landscape. Scientists are tracking the dunes to find out why.
Credit: Paolo D'Odorico
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Red sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see--and beyond--in Africa's Kalahari Desert.
Credit: Paolo D'Odorico
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Tswana natives called the Kalahari "the great thirst." But it greens up in the rainy season.
Credit: Paolo D'Odorico
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Without grasses to anchor the dunes in place, their sand grains blow in the wind.
Credit: Paolo D'Odorico
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Scientists collect sediments for their research on the Kalahari's shifting sands.
Credit: Paolo D'Odorico
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Plant life stabilizes the dunes, holding them in place as "fixed vegetated linear dunes."
Credit: Paolo D'Odorico
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