The Singing Sand Dunes

There is a rare natural phenomenon at some sand dunes about 40 KM from Doha. When the desert is quiet, you can hear a low pitched hum. Most people refer to this area as the “Singing Sand Dunes.” The sound is a result of friction from a thin layer of sand flowing down the leeward side of a sand dune, blown from the top by the wind. The crescent shape of the dunes amplifies the sound, and can be heard up to 10 km away. Climbing up the side of the dunes or running across the top edge triggers the humming. We went out one night with Marya and David. I was surprised that it actually worked! The pitch is so low you can feel the vibration as well. Here are some pictures from our drive out there and us climbing the dunes.