White Sands National Monument

The White Sands National Monument is comprised of 275 square miles of the largest pure gypsum dune field in the world. It sits in the high desert of the Tularosa Basin in southern New Mexico. Gypsum is water-soluble and normally gets carried out to sea, but with no outlet, water flowing into the Tularosa Basin either sinks into the ground or pools up in low spots. One of the lowest points in the basin is a large playa called Lake Lucero. Occasionally, this dry lakebed fills with water. As the water evaporates, the dissolved gypsum is deposited on the surface, and winds carry it to the dunes.

Aesthetically I was drawn to an essential contrast: the feminine lines and shapes of the dunes belie their brutality. The scarce plants are consumed by the movement of dunes, which can travel up to 30 feet per year. Equally compelling are the patterns of small gypsum ridges formed by occasional water at the bottom of the dunes.

Remember, you’re looking at sand, not snow!