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Big Dune ACEC, Nevada
Big Dune in Amargosa Valley: Where the Sand Sings and the Beetles Rule
Have you ever heard of sand dunes that sing? Pretty wild, huh? Well, for several centuries people have been talking about such dunes that can make musiclike sounds when the sand gets disturbed, around places such as the Middle East and China. These sounds run the gamut from roars and booms to squeaks and hums, with some comparing its musical quality to a drum or violin. Others say it sounds more like a foghorn or an old airplane engine. It's rare, though-most sand dunes stay silent, and only about 30 around the world are known to sing.So, where do these singing dunes come from? For scientists, it's friction between sand grains on their tumble down a dune. It's the friction that causes vibration, converts into sound - sometimes you can even feel those vibrations! Nevada just happens to have three of these rare singing dunes: Sand Mountain near Fallon, Crescent Dunes by Tonopah, Big Dune right here in Amargosa Valley.
Big Dune rises to a height of about 300 feet above the flat valley floor and can be seen from several miles away by those driving down Highway 95. To reach it, one has only to make a turn at the Amargosa Farm sign and travel several miles down a dirt road that heads toward the dune. The fun fact is that Big Dune even featured in the 1980s science fiction movie Cherry 2000, where it played a part in creating the setting of a future world in which Las Vegas gets buried by sand.
But Big Dune is more than just a cool, movie-worthy landmark. It's also home to four species of beetles that exist nowhere else on Earth. These little guys depend upon the dune's plants for their survival-food, shelter, and breeding. The plants themselves are hardy desert species, such as creosote bushes and prickly poppies, adapted just right for the harsh desert environment.
Big Dune is very nice for people who love adventure, such as off-roading, sandboarding, and skiing. Just remember to try keeping within the boundaries so as not to destroy this highly fragile ecosystem of the dune. You will see sensational views, and you may even hear the singing sands when you get lucky.
Giuliani's dune scarab (Pseudocotalpa giuliani) Photo by Brian Novosak, USFWS
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"In the post-apocalyptic California of 2017, Sam Treadwell (David Andrews) manages a recycling plant. His companion is Cherry 2000 (Pamela Gidley), a lifelike robot who caters to his every need. When Cherry expires, Treadwell refuses to settle for a newer, less attractive robot. Salvaging the chip containing her personality, he hires tracker E. Johnson (Melanie Griffith) to lead him through the lawless desert zone, where a replacement Cherry 2000 model can be found." - RottenTomatoes