desert

Jakarta –

In northwestern China’s Gansu Province, there are the desert hills of Dunhuang. This desert is ‘alive’ because it emits sounds similar to music. This unique and mysterious phenomenon causes the dunes scattered in the area to sound like singing when the wind blows.

The size of these singing dunes varies. The hill with the highest peak, reaching 1,715 meters. If you look closely, the sand is even rainbow-colored, ranging from yellow and white to green and black.

Though considered commonplace by the people of Dunhuang, the region’s singing sand dunes are the center of many Chinese legends and folklore. The dunes lie along the famous Silk Road, an important trade route that ran between Central Asia and Europe which was used for around 1,500 years from the second century BC.

Chinese legend says that the area was once a mountainous region where the Crescent Lake, still at the bottom of the dunes, is surrounded by sacred temples. However, some people believed, the sounds of worship coming from the temples disturbed the Yellow Dragon Prince who was sleeping in the nearby desert. The prince was angry so he covered the area with sand. The music that comes from the sand dunes, is said to come from the people who are buried in it.

The scientific explanation for singing dunes

Although this legend adds to the mystery of this beautiful landscape, the real reason behind the phenomenon can be explained scientifically. This is mainly due to the special qualities that the dunes possess.

The quality of the sand grains is only one of the components that make the dunes sing. Consisting of fine to medium particles, their size allows for better movement and interaction of the grains.

These qualities, combined with their shape, create distinct resonances and frequencies, with finely rounded grain creating a better sound. The formation of dunes can also contribute to sound, with the steepness of the slope affecting how much interaction there is between sand particles.

Of course, it needs the right wind conditions to blow enough particles to produce sound. When the wind blows, the dunes give off a loud roar, but under a light breeze, the hills produce soft music.

Surrounding structures can also serve to create and amplify noise, as mountains and hills create airflow channels that focus wind in a specific area around the dunes. When the wind disturbs the grain, it creates friction, which in turn agitates the sand, creating noise. In addition, the air voids between the grains can act as resonant chambers that amplify sound.

The arid climate also contributes to its sound. That is why singing dunes are only found in desert environments. The low humidity level increases the friction between the grains, creating sound when they rub against each other.

Constructive and destructive disturbances in sand vibrations can create standing waves. This is a stationary wave pattern with fixed peaks and troughs. It is this combination of grain vibrations, resonance and air voids that produce the characteristic sound of dunes.

While it is an interesting and surprising phenomenon, dune singing is actually not that uncommon. China is home to a number of these locations, including the provinces of Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Gansu and Ningxia. The Namib Desert in Namibia also has its own sand dunes, just like the Sahara Desert, while fast growing dunes can be found in the Mojave Desert, California, United States.

Strictly monitored

A very important cultural site, the dunes are closely monitored for signs of erosion and potentially damaging impacts. Conservation efforts in the area aim to raise awareness among visitors about their effect on these and other natural structures.

A popular tourist destination, these singing dunes offer much more than stunning views and relaxing music. The dunes also offer a variety of recreational activities from camel rides to gliding tours. Visitors are advised to visit at sunrise or sunset for the perfect visual experience.

Despite the heavy tourist traffic, every night when the desert wind sweeps over the dunes, all the busy footsteps are erased and the sand returns to its original state ready for the next day’s show.

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(rns/rns)

2023-06-27 22:40:05
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