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Stunning ISS Photo Reveals Grand Erg Oriental's Secrets

10/1/2025

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Summary

Story summary

EarthKAM on the International Space Station (ISS) captured a photo on October 31, 2017, of Grand Erg Oriental beside rocky Sahara.
The Grand Erg Oriental covers about 55,000 square miles, with star dunes over 300 feet tall where winds change.
The Algeria–Libya border lies at the sand–rock boundary; geologists say sand formed from ancient rainwater eroding rock.

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Story summary

EarthKAM on the International Space Station (ISS) captured a photo on October 31, 2017, of Grand Erg Oriental beside rocky Sahara.
The Grand Erg Oriental covers about 55,000 square miles, with star dunes over 300 feet tall where winds change.
The Algeria–Libya border lies at the sand–rock boundary; geologists say sand formed from ancient rainwater eroding rock.