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Height: ~60 feet
Description: I visited these dunes just for fun after my
freshman year of college while working (somewhat nearby) in Los
Alamos. These are definitely up there on the list of most
*interesting* dunes. They lie at the edge of the White Sands Missile
Test Range, so when you enter the park you're warned not to touch
anything shiny! More scientifically, these sands are composed
primarily of gypsum -- not quartz, like most dunes. (Quartz is a
common dune mineral because its very strong and hence resistant to
weathering. Gypsum, on the other hand, is an somewhat insoluble
mineral precipated out of drying lakes.) Since these dunes are a
National Monument, you can check out the NPS's website for more
information.
Directions: White Sands National Monument is located 15 miles
southwest of Alamogordo, NM. Here's a map.
Booming: I wasn't listening for booming when I went, and I
didn't hear any. These dunes are fairly short, so I'm not sure what
to expect. However, I am *very* curious about these dunes because of
their unusual mineral composition. If you make a trip and are able to
smuggle me a sample, I'd love it!
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