WHITE SANDS DUNE FORMATION
How did White Sands form? How long has it been there? What makes the sand white? sParksAdventure answers these questions and more as we discover the secrets behind the formation of White Sands National Park. The white sands are a result of Gypsum crystals, washed down from the mountain into the valley - when the lake dried up it left behind gypsum which was eroded by wind - forming White Sands! Dr. Brian Hampton of New Mexico State University helps us tell the story of White Sands.
The area is also home to White Sands Missile range - a key testing facility for missiles, rockets and space exploration. Holloman Air Force Base is also close by - a strategic base that tests unmanned drones and is home to squadrons of fighter jets. The history of the White Sands area is incredible - the Trinity Site, where the first nuclear bomb was detonated is just 65 miles away. This park is full of geological wonder and incredible history.
sParksAdventure is the newest series from Travelparkourist - a look at the science and history behind the most amazing National Parks on Earth. The U.S. Parks System consists of over 400 parks, monuments and wildlife area, we are travelling across the country to visit and report on the geology, ecology and history of National Parks.