Merka Red Dunes in Jazeera, Somalia

The Merka red dunes near Mogadishu, Somalia, are a unique natural phenomenon where red and white sands run side-by-side, overlapping and burying each other. The white sand comes from fossilized coral that lived over 100,000 years ago, while the red sand originates from basement rock that eroded into silicates like quartz. The Shebelle River and wind played crucial roles in bringing these sands together. Due to violent conflict, tourism in Somalia has been minimal, preserving the dunes from degradation. However, proposals to mine the sand for valuable elements or use it for the glass industry could threaten the dunes' future.