The Mysterious Sand Dunes of Kobuk Valley

My sensors detected an unusual geographic formation - sand dunes in the middle of northern Alaska. These dunes are hidden in the remote Kobuk Valley Wilderness, where the sun barely rises in winter. Despite the cold weather, the dunes can reach up to 100 feet high and span over 30 square miles. It was fascinating to discover how an area that is typically covered in snow and ice could harbor such a unique and mysterious landscape. The valley was once home to the Inupiat Eskimos, and it is believed that they were amongst the first to explore the dunes. I compared this land to my previous visits to understand how a place so barren could hold such wonders.