Scientists unravel mysteries of Morocco’s giant star Dune. A team of researchers, spearheaded by experts from Aberystwyth University in Wales, has embarked on an ambitious quest to decode the enigmatic secrets shrouding a colossal star dune nestled in a remote corner of Morocco.
The Guardian reports that this mammoth sand formation, resembling pyramids when viewed from the ground and celestial stars from above, has become the focal point of scientific inquiry, delving into its age, genesis, and distinctive migration patterns across the desert landscape.
Professor Geoff Duller, hailing from the esteemed Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University, has expressed profound admiration for these natural wonders, labeling them as “extraordinary” and “one of the world’s marvels.”
Joining forces with scholars from the University of London, the research team has honed in on a particular behemoth known as Lala Lallia, standing tall at 100 meters in height and stretching over 700 meters wide within the Erg Chebbi sand sea.
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In a revelation that has stunned the scientific community, the team uncovered that the dune’s foundation traces back a staggering 13,000 years, while its uppermost layers formed a mere millennium ago.
Duller pointed out that the stabilization of the dune’s base some 9,000 years ago coincided with a period of increased moisture, fostering vegetation growth.
However, the dune’s growth trajectory underwent a dramatic shift with changing climatic conditions, spurred by opposing winds originating from the southwest and northeast.
Of paramount significance is the team’s discovery regarding the dune’s gradual westward migration, propelled by prevailing eastward winds at a rate of approximately 50 centimeters per year.
Duller emphasized the pivotal role of comprehending this movement in facilitating infrastructural development, such as the construction of roads and pipelines, in the region.
To unlock the dune’s age, researchers employed advanced luminescence dating techniques, drawing upon methodologies pioneered at Aberystwyth University.
This involved scrutinizing the last instance when sand minerals were exposed to sunlight, harnessing the unique properties of quartz grains akin to miniature rechargeable batteries.
Duller clarified that their focus lay not in dating the dune’s formation millions of years ago but rather in pinpointing the deposition of sand layers.
The luminescence technique afforded them the ability to determine the last exposure of sand grains to daylight.
Executing this challenging task necessitated meticulous collection of sand samples, all while shielding them from light exposure by carving pits into the dunes and utilizing an aged drainpipe for sample retrieval.
As scientists unravel mysteries of Morocco’s giant star Dune, the groundbreaking findings, shedding light on the captivating age and formation of Morocco’s star dune, have been disseminated in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports, marking a significant stride forward in unraveling the mysteries of our natural world.
