Twisted shapes
Like frozen waves.
Robert Haandrikman — CC BY 2.0 · Evnt007 — CC0 · Nakshatraprem — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nakshatraprem — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Florian Kriechbaumer — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Al Wathba Fossil Dunes are a group of sculpted sand formations in the desert near Al Wathba, about 37 km southeast of the city of Abu Dhabi and 135 km southwest of Dubai in a straight line. They formed from old sand dunes that hardened when groundwater left minerals behind, binding the sand into something like soft sandstone. Wind and blown sand then carved away the weaker parts over thousands of years, leaving these twisted shapes. The site is protected, with paths and seating for visitors. The cream and golden formations stand on a flat sandy plain, twisted like frozen waves or sculptures, with thin parallel layers of hardened sand showing on their sides. Their colour shifts with the light, from white at midday to orange and pink at sunset. The site is open and reached by car; go at sunrise or sunset for the best light and less heat. The formations are fragile, so do not climb or touch them. The Al Wathba Wetland Reserve lies close by.
Like frozen waves.
Hardened sand.
Pink colours.
Near Al Wathba, southeast of Abu Dhabi city, UAE
At sunrise or sunset.
No, they are fragile and protected.