The Story of White Sands National Park (Geology and Science)

WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK, NM
Here we dive into the geology and wonder behind White Sands National Park located in Alamogordo, New Mexico. These white gypsum sand dunes are truly incredible and required the perfect storm of events to exist. Visiting White Sands is a great thing to do if you're taking a trip to New Mexico, and it's one of my top national parks in the united states.
White Sands National Park is part of the largest gypsum dune field in the entire world (the whole field is over 275 square miles!)

[Aritul]

Great content on your channel. Thanks for another informative video.

[stpetie]

As usual, terrific job both as researcher and presenter. Thanks again.

[h.e.]

Amazing work! White Sands National Park is on my list and you really bring this material to life. Awesome plant @ 5:20

[johnmcnulty]

I've been enthralled by the Land of Enchantment for many years and would love to see a tour of places like Kasha Kituwe, Bisti badlands and Valles Caldera from you!

[begonnne]

I really like your presentation, from it's unobtrusive background music to the cute 'human touches' and clear speech. I will definitely watch more. Thank you.

[johnmcnulty]

Great video and I already love your channel! I was only in White Sands once and it felt like Heaven..
All the best with your YouTube career!

[MountainFisher]

Its history is surreal as well. It was declared a National Monument way back in 1933 by President Hoover as it had more support than a National Park encompassing not only the Dunes, but the Carrizozo lava flow that almost made it to the North end. Then along came WWII and the Manhattan Project. White Sands Missile Range is the largest base in the US if I'm not mistaken. After the war German scientists and their V2 rockets were sent there. There were a few accidents in the early years, but there hasn't been any for decades. I spoke to a safety Army officer and they've made it extremely unlikely there will ever be another.

I told you before there was local opposition to making WS a National Park, but we were ignored by anyone in Washington. I swear it's like the best intentioned people we send to DC become demon possessed crossing the Potomac. You should have seen the big fight to keep the UN from declaring it a World Heritage Site, got dirty, but we blocked it by demonstrating that the UN would meddle and bring in outsiders to protest the military. The Army goes out of its way to protect the Dunes.
I think it is cool to have a great park that shuts down from time to time to test a missile defense system. I just wished they hadn't raised prices.