Geo 365: March 11, Day 70: Semi-Stabilized Dunes

Headed north from Table Rock into the Fort Rock-Christmas Lake Valley, unfarmed landscapes often have a sort of hummocky appearance. Here we see why: dunes. During dry periods, the vegetation dies back, possibly burning off, and dunes start to migrate. During moister periods, vegetation takes hold and stabilizes the moving sand. Here we see an example that's right on the cusp.

At the east, down wind, end of this basin, there's a fairly large tract of open dunes, which are interesting for a variety of reasons. In particular, they're composed largely of Mazama Ash.

Photo unmodified. August 20, 2011. FlashEarth Location.