Submerged Dunes

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center - Earthshots

These close-ups of one of the larger lakes show how the formation and reduction of the lakes affected sand dunes.

Sand dunes became inundated as the lakes formed. In the 2001 image, many larger dunes were small islands in the lake.
Bright sand dunes re-emerged as the lake level dropped. In the 2013 and 2017 images, a few dunes are still islands.
The darker ground in the 2013, 2017, and 2019 images indicates former water levels—the darker tone means moistened ground.

Imagery

Dec. 8 and 15, 1989, Landsat 4 (path/row 175,176/44) — close up of Toshka Lakes, Egypt

Aug. 19 and 26, 2001, Landsat 7 (path/row 175,176/44) — close up of Toshka Lakes, Egypt

Aug. 19 and 28, 2013, Landsat 8 (path/row 175,176/44) — close up of Toshka Lakes, Egypt

Aug. 23 and 30, 2017, Landsat 8 (path/row 175,176/44) — close up of Toshka Lakes, Egypt

July 3 and 12, 2019, Landsat 8 (path/row 175,176/44) — close up of Toshka Lakes

Mar. 24 and 18, 2021, Landsat 8 (path/row 175,176/44) — close up of Toshka Lakes, Egypt

Nov. 22 and 29, 2021, Landsat 8 (path/row 175,176/44) — close up of Toshka Lakes, Egypt

Feb. 9, 10, 2022, Landsat 9, 8 (path/row 176,175/44) — close up of Toshka Lakes, Egypt

Feb. 12, 13, 2023, Landsat 9, 8 (path/row 176,175/44) — close up of Toshka Lakes, Egypt