I finally got around to checking out the Nova ScienceNow program that Erik
mentioned a few months back. The episode I watched online
today is actually the premiere from January 2005, so sorry if you heard about this already, but for lollygaggers like
me, maybe you’ll want to check this out. The show was all about research that CalTech folks are doing on
sand that sings, to state it simply. (It
burps and croaks too.) According to researchers, there are only about 30 booming sand sites in the world, including the
Gobi and Sahara deserts and the Death Valley Dumont Dunes, which are featured in the program. You can watch this
seven minute video and be wowed by the sound
of sand. The full episode is online as well.
And there is one somewhat related note to mention from that first episode: That same January show
featured hurricane expert Dr. Ivor Van Heerden
talking about tools to help predict these storms and what would happen if one were to hit Louisiana. He recently did a
follow-up dispatch about the devastation
that has now occurred.