Destination: Jordan
Expedition: As our climate crisis escalates, we can really see the changes in landforms affected by shifting weather patterns, and because sand dunes are constantly changing at the whim of the wind, they provide an excellent opportunity for study, especially because they can change so quickly. This project will survey the vast, sweeping sand dunes across the epic landscapes of Wadi Rum, Jordan, a location showcased in numerous science fiction films because it is so visually striking and unearthly. These expanding deserts are becoming a concern around the world as they encroach on cities in areas that are getting less rainfall. The goal is to combine the use of satellite imagery, and on the ground surveys to build a baseline map of these mega dunes, a detailed “before” snapshot that can be compared to later surveys to understand how shifting weather patterns affect the shifting sands over time.