images

Grand Ergs, Algeria, seen from the space shuttle Discovery. 12/1999

by

Nasa/Novapix

Reference

t-afalg-00002

Date

2006-09-21

Two great sand seas occupy northern Algeria, Grand Erg Oriental (Eastern Sand Sea) and Grand Erg Occidental (Western Sand Sea). Both sand seas occupy depressions that are separated by a north-south rise called Mizab. Ergs are areas of large accumulations of sand that take the form of actively shifting dunes, fossilized dunes, or extensive sand sheets.