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White Sands National Monument
For Kids
Photo of ripples on a dune  

Did You Know?
The wind moves small sand grains by bouncing them along the surface in a process called "saltation." Saltating sand grains create a beautiful pattern of ripples on the dune surface. Larger sand grains are struck by saltating grains and slowly roll forward, a process known as "surface creep."

Last Updated: September 18, 2007 at 16:28 EST