Tottori sand dunesby | 05-08-2013 01:44 |
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  Where I come from, desert and sand dunes are rare to see. So when I first visited a sand dune, I was so touched by the sight. The dunes were located in 'Tottori' province, Japan. It is the only large dune system in Japan. The dunes were created by sediment deposits carried from the Chugoku Mountains by the Sendai river into the Eastern Sea. Sea currents and wind help bring the sand from the bottom up onto the shore, where the wind constantly rearrange their shape. The dunes have existed for over 100,000 years, but the area of the dunes has been steadily decreased due to the concrete barriers set to protect the coast from tsunamis. The barriers interfered the currents responsible for bringing the sand to shore.So Japanese authorities takes a step to preserve the dunes which attracts around two million visitors each year. I am participating reforestation and anti-desertfication projects however, 100,000 years existing nature's legacy could be erased from the land in the future is still a sad event. |
