Yes, White Sands was indeed covered by an ocean in the distant past.
The Ancient History of White Sands
The area we now know as White Sands National Park was once a vast body of water. According to geological studies, the history of the world's largest gypsum dunefield dates back approximately 280 million years ago. During this time period, known as the Permian Period, a large inland sea called the Permian Sea covered the region.
From Sea Floor to Dunefield
- Ancient Sea: The Permian Sea existed millions of years ago, long before the landscape transformed into the Tularosa Basin.
- Gypsum Deposition: As this ancient sea covered the area, minerals dissolved in the water, particularly gypsum, settled on the sea floor. This process continued for eons, creating thick layers of gypsum sediment.
- Geological Changes: Over vast spans of geological time, the sea receded, and the land uplifted. The buried gypsum layers were eventually exposed to the surface.
- Formation of Dunes: Weathering and erosion, primarily by wind, broke down the exposed gypsum into fine grains. These grains were then transported and accumulated, gradually forming the iconic white sand dunes we see today. The source reference explicitly states that "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."
This ancient marine environment laid the foundation for the unique geological composition of White Sands, where the "sand" is actually gypsum crystals.
Key Takeaways:
- White Sands was covered by the Permian Sea around 280 million years ago.
- Gypsum, the material that forms the dunes, was deposited on the sea floor during this period.
- The modern gypsum dunefield is a direct result of the geological history linked to this ancient sea.
