Kazakhstan
Sand Origin
Esentai river in Almaty city
Random Sand Fact
In Kazakhstan, a sand dune can be heard from far away.
In Altyn-Emel stands the roughly 150-metre-high Singing Dune. When dry sand begins to slide down the slope, thousands of grains can move in sync and create a deep booming sound that vibrates through the dune.
As the grains roll and collide within the moving layer of sand, the layer begins to vibrate as a whole. Even the size of the grains helps determine the pitch of the dune.
The sound has inspired stories of spirits, buried cities and strange creatures. Today, we know the sand grains themselves are making the noise.
