UK Scientists Discover 13,000-Old Star Dunes in Morocco

Rabat – British scientists unearthed a surprising age discrepancy within the star dunes in Morocco’s Sahara. While the base dates back a staggering 13,000 years, the upper portion formed 1,000 years ago, defying previous expectations.

Led by Professor Geoff Duller from Aberystwyth’s Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, the research team went on an expedition to the Sahara in Morocco, according to The Guardian.

The researchers, from various universities, specifically studied a towering 100-meter high and 700-meter wide star dune located within the Erg Chebbi sand sea, known as Lala Lallia in the Amazigh language, signifying the “highest sacred point.”

These colossal structures, similar to pyramids from the ground and stars from the air, are similar to deserts on Mars, and even Saturn’s moon Titan.

The findings of the expedition, recently published in the journal Scientific Reports, reveal the dune’s origins can be traced back to climatic fluctuations over millennia.

Initially stabilized by vegetation around 9,000 years ago, the dune remained relatively unchanged for millennia before shifting environmental conditions caused its transformation into a star dune.

The researchers observed the dune’s ongoing migration, driven by prevailing winds. With winds converging from both southwest and northeast directions, the dune steadily accumulates sand.

However, it’s the consistent easterly wind that propels its slow westward migration at a rate of approximately 50 centimeters per year.

Central to their analysis was the use of luminescence dating techniques pioneered at Aberystwyth. By examining when sand minerals last saw sunlight, researchers could discern the deposition age of the dune’s layers.

This involved meticulous sampling methods, including the excavation of pits and the insertion of drain pipes to collect sand grains without exposing them to light.

While the fieldwork might evoke images of low-tech endeavors, the laboratory analysis conducted under stringent conditions akin to a photographic darkroom showcased the high-tech sophistication behind their methodologies.