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White Sands National Monument
Photos & Multimedia

photos & multimedia includes:

Photo Gallery
 
ripples on a sand dune
An NPS Photo
Ripples on a dune
 
It takes a wind of 17 mph to start sand movement.  The bouncing sand grains form ripple that line up perpendicular to wind direction.
 
sand avalanching on slip face of dune
Bouncing sand grains accumulate at the top of a slip face until they reach an angle of 34 degrees.  Then gravity pulls an avalanche of sand donw the slip face, moving the dune forward.
Photo of white lizard  

Did You Know?
Three species of lizards, one pocket mouse and numerous species of insects have evolved a white coloration for survival in the white sands.

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Last Updated: September 22, 2006 at 13:03 EST