Mystery under the sand: what lurks in the depths of beaches and deserts?

The vastness ofbeaches and the barrenness of deserts may seem worlds apart, but both share a secret that is literally beneath our feet: the sand.

While the fine grains can cloak the landscape and create captivating visuals, many wonder what is really hidden under this seemingly endless layer of fine grains.

Conjoined with this intriguing speculation, we discuss the mystery that lies beneath these barren expanses. Keep reading!

Beaches: treasures hidden under the surface

Anyone who has ever spent a sunny day by the sea might wonder what lies at the bottom of the soft and inviting sand of the beaches.

Like a gigantic geological puzzle, sand is the product of millions of years of natural action.

The weathering of rocks and minerals, driven by rivers and rough seas, is responsible for the formation of this concealing treasure.

(Image: Designi/Reproduction)

By digging in the beaches, we would reveal a history buried in the layers of sand. Compaction over eons turns some of it into sandstone, a sedimentary rock that holds the secrets of times gone by.

However, digging deeper into the sand of beaches and deserts would require advanced equipment, because we would come across the rocky bed, the solid base that supports the beach and its secrets geological.

Deserts: under the sand surface

The beaches hide stories buried in the layers of sand, and the deserts also keep their mysteries, but in a different way.

The popular image of a desert like an endless expanse of sand, it's not always accurate. Many of them exhibit the exposed bedrock itself, without the abundance of sand that one might imagine.

However, even in sandy deserts, sand is a consequence of natural action. Constant exposure to temperature changes causes rocks to expand and crack, releasing grains over millennia.

While the desert landscape may seem plain at first glance, notable events are hidden beneath the seemingly barren surface.

The case of the prehistoric Sahara

In 2010, scientists revealed a surprising discovery under the sands of the Sahara. Evidence of an ancient prehistoric lake has emerged, shedding light on a remote past.

About 250,000 years ago, the Nile River flowed through a lower channel, creating a huge lake, where the unforgiving desert is today.

Such an incredible revelation reminds us that even in the seemingly bleakest of places, history lurks beneath the surface, waiting to be unlocked.

Fortunately, through the incessant search for knowledge committed by researchers and scholars, we can find hidden layers of the Earth and understand the complexity of geological processes that shaped the planet over eons.