Entries Tagged 'Sand' ↓
January 22nd, 2008 — Sand, Science, water
The video above is showing a special type of sand, that never gets wet. It can be completely submerged in water, and yet it will remain dry. Remove it from the water and it will be as dry as it was before it was submerged.
The sand was originally developed for cleaning up oil spills. Because the sand is waterproof, it could soak up the oil that would normally float on the top of the water. At which point it would sink to the bottom and take the oil with it.
Unfortunately, the sand is too expensive to be used for large scale cleanups. So today it is mostly sold as a novelty toy for children.
Via DVICE: Miracles of Science: Watch Sand that Never Gets Wet
September 14th, 2007 — China, Desert, Dunes, Hay, Sand, Sand Storms
In recent years, China has increasingly had issues with desertification of what was once profitable land. Everything from overgrazing, to Global Warming has been blamed. But once a certain area has begun the desertification process, it is hard to stop. Especially in semi arid sections of the country. Overgrazing, combined with drought and poor land use has contributed to increasing advances of desert in China. From 1994 to 1999, desert grew by 20,280 square miles. At this point, over 1/4 of the nation is desert. With the massive population that china has, this could easily become a crisis. Shifting sand dunes can easily overwhelm and cover good land if they aren’t anchored. The picture above is one of many efforts to stop sand dunes from drifting over towns and good farmland. Sand storms from the new deserts have even begun to affect Beijing.
Picture via: Metro - Chinese battle to save desert with hay
More info: Desertification advances in China
For more pictures of SandStorms Check out my previous post: Dust storms around the world
August 28th, 2007 — Dust, Dust Storm, Sand, Sand Storm, Storm
Dark Roasted blend has an interesting article on dust storms. It has a ton of pictures, mostly from the Middle East and Northern Africa. The picture above is of a dust storm advancing in the Negev Desert of southern Israel. It’s advancing at a speed of 40 miles per hour and is over 4,000 feet high.
Check out the article for a lot more pictures.
Dark Roasted Blend: Dust Storms!
For some more pictures of dust storms, check out my previous post of dust storms over Iraq.
July 17th, 2007 — Dust, Iraq, Sand, Sand Storm, Storm
Found a group of pictures showing a sand storm in Iraq. Imagine seeing that coming for you. Seriously scary looking.
Sand storms are relatively common in desert and arid areas. Usually they don’t cause any real damage, but occasionally they can be severe.
Check out the rest of the pictures here: Sand Storm in Iraq: April 26, 2005
