16th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Grain Configuration

Coral Pink Sand Dunes near Utah/Arizona State Line are nestled between the Navajo sandstone Moquith and Moccasin Mountains. The notch between the surrounding mountains increases dramatically the speed of the southern-winds that grind and carry sand from the eroding Navajo sandstone. This phenomenon is known as the Venturi Affect. Once the wind passes through the notch and into the open valley, the wind velocity decreases and leaves these super fine and deeply saturated grains behind. Coral Pink Sand Dunes can move as much as 50 feet per year and are estimated at 10,000 to 15,000 years old.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 03.2018
Date Uploaded: 11.2018
Photo Location: Utah, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D810
Copyright: © Pawel Pilch