BP GEOGRAPHIC

Shifting sand dunes don’t only exist in deserts. On the way to List, the northernmost town not only on the island of Sylt but of all of Germany.

While being on that way, at the side of the road, you will pass exactly such a sand dune.

Like the mainland geestland, Sylt was formed of moraines from the older ice ages, thus being made up of a till core, which is now apparent in the island’s west and centre by the cliff, dunes and beach.

This sandy core began to erode as it was exposed to a strong current along the island’s steep basement when the sea level rose eight thousand years ago. During the process, sediments were accumulated north and south of the island.