where did the white sand in destin come from
Destin, Florida The sand on Destin's beaches is some of the whitest in the world.[21] The sand comes from the Appalachian Mountains, and is made of finely ground quartz crystal giving the appearance of sugar.[22] Residue flows down the Apalachicola River and is deposited into the Gulf of Mexico.[22] Because of the currents the sand drifts west along the Gulf Coast and settles from east of Panama City to the Alabama coast.[23]
Desert Deserts are formed by weathering processes as large variations in temperature between day and night put strains on the rocks which consequently break in pieces. Although rain seldom occurs in deserts, there are occasional downpours that can result in flash floods. Rain falling on hot rocks can cause them to shatter and the resulting fragments and rubble strewn over the desert floor is further eroded by the wind. This picks up particles of sand and dust and wafts them aloft in sand or dust storms. Wind-blown sand grains striking any solid object in their path can abrade the surface. Rocks are smoothed down, and the wind sorts sand into uniform deposits. The grains end up as level sheets of sand or are piled high in billowing sand dunes. Other deserts are flat, stony plains where all the fine material has been blown away and the surface consists of a mosaic of smooth stones. These areas are known as desert pavements and little further erosion takes place. Other desert features include rock outcrops, exposed bedrock and clays once deposited by flowing water. Temporary lakes may form and salt pans may be left when waters evaporate. There may be underground sources of water in the form of springs and seepages from aquifers. Where these are found, oases can occur.