Drive an hour southeast of Abu Dhabi, and you'll discover the fascinating landscape of Al Wathba, a region known for its man-made and natural wonders. Al Wathba boasts wetlands filled with migratory flamingos and camel highways, but its most remarkable attraction is the fossil dunes—spectacular geological formations sculpted over tens of thousands of years.
These ancient dunes, dating back 120,000 to 150,000 years, were formed by the interplay of wind and moisture during ice ages and thaws. As ocean levels dropped, sand from the drained Arabian Gulf was carried by winds, creating dunes that were later stabilized by calcium carbonate in the ground. The result is a stunning, wind-carved terrain of solid sand resembling frozen waves.
Power lines stride behind the dunes, adding another dimension to the scene. Barry Neild/CNN
Opened as a tourist attraction in 2022, the fossil dunes are now preserved within a protected area. Visitors can stroll along designated paths, taking in the ethereal beauty of these formations while keeping a respectful distance. The site is particularly magical at dusk when the dunes glow under the setting sun and are illuminated at night.
Researchers, including Professor Thomas Steuber of Khalifa University, continue to study the dunes, linking their formation to ancient climate shifts and possibly even to historical events like the biblical flood. Al Wathba’s fossil dunes are a testament to the forces of nature and a glimpse into the planet’s changing climate over millennia.
