FAQs
White Sands National Park rises from the heart of the Tularosa Basin and created the world's largest gypsum dune field. Here, great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert and preserves a piece of New Mexico's unique geology.
What caused the white sands? ›
The story of the world's largest gypsum dunefield began 280 million years ago when the Permian Sea covered this area and gypsum settled on the sea floor. The formation of the dunefield continues today in an endless cycle of erosion and renewal.
Why is white sands special? ›
In the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders—glistening white sands. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand engulf 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. A major portion of this dunefield and its plants and animals are preserved.
How many animals live in white sands? ›
In fact, the park is home to more than 800 different animal species, many of them nocturnal. Included in this number are species from all groups of the animal kingdom: mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, and invertebrates. Many species of mammals make their home in White Sands National Park.
How old is the white sands? ›
280 to 250 million years ago.
Is white sands still active? ›
History. It began with a test of the world's first atomic bomb in 1945. After 76 years and more than 42,000 rocket and missile tests, however, White Sands Missile Range continues as the premier military test range in America, earning its title as “Birthplace of America's Missile and Space Activity.”
Why was white sands abandoned? ›
The ranch was abandoned in 1942 when the Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range took over the land to use in training World War II bombing crews.
Is white sands real sand? ›
The 275-square miles of dunes are comprised of over 4.5 billion tons of gypsum sand. It is one of the many things that make White Sands a unique and special place.
Is white sands a desert? ›
The largest gypsum dune field in the world is located at White Sands National Monument in south-central New Mexico. This region of glistening white dunes is in the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert within an "internally drained valley" called the Tularosa Basin.
What are the black bugs in the white sands? ›
Darkling beetles are scavengers of dead plant material on the ground. They tend to wander around mostly at night. There are many different species of darkling beetles at White Sands.
As coral colonies grow and thrive in shallow marine environments, they continually produce calcium carbonate through calcification processes. Over time, coral fragments and sand-sized particles derived from coral skeletons accumulate on nearby shores, forming expansive beaches with distinctive white sands.
How old is white sands? ›
280 to 250 million years ago.
How deep is white sands? ›
Lowest point in the park is 3887 ft. or 1,185 m asl at Lake Lucero. Depth of gypsum sand across the entire field is 30 ft. (9 m) below interdunal surface. The highest dunes are approximately 60 ft (18 m) high.
Does white sands have water? ›
Groundwater can be found within 12-36 inches below the surface. Within the Chihuahuan Desert, White Sands gypsum dunefield functions as an Island—an oasis of life formed with water. Groundwater can be found only 12-36 inches below the surface keeping the dunes at 99% humidity year round.