Singing Sand Dunes

Photo

by Sigismund von Dobschütz

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

The Singing Sand Dunes in Dunhuang, China, are a remarkable natural phenomenon located near the edge of the Gobi Desert. These dunes are renowned not only for their impressive size and striking golden color but also for the unique sound they produce. When the wind blows or when the sand is disturbed, the dunes emit a humming or roaring noise, often described as similar to the sound of a distant drum or a low-flying aircraft. This acoustic marvel is caused by the friction between sand particles, which creates vibrations that amplify as they move down the slopes.

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