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The Lut Desert, also known as Dasht-e Lut, is a vast expanse of salt and sand predominantly composed of sand dunes, salt flats, and rocky plateaus located in southeastern Iran.
Positioned between the provinces of Kerman, Sistan and Baluchestan, and South Khorasan, the Lut Desert encompasses an area of approximately 67,500 mi2.
The landscape is shaped by the interaction of several geological factors, including the collision of tectonic plates and the drying up of ancient bodies of water.
Moreover, the region’s arid climate, characterized by scorching temperatures and minimal precipitation, contributes to the challenging living conditions.
The Lut Desert is renowned for hosting the Gandom Beryan plateau, where NASA’s Aqua satellite recorded the highest ground temperature in 2005, highlighting the region’s extreme heat.
Read also: Sahara, Earth’s Largest and Most Extreme Hot Desert
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Sand Dunes in Lut Desert
The Lut Desert boasts spectacular sand dunes, reaching several hundred meters in various shapes.
The iconic Rig-e Yalan, called ‘Lut’s Lighthouse,’ resembles a ship’s mast. The wind continuously sculpts these dunes, creating ever-changing patterns on the desert floor.
The Lut’s Castles
Another unique feature found in this desert is the presence of Kaluts.
These are large, elongated ridges and towers formed by the erosion of sand and rocks.
Over centuries, wind erosion has shaped these structures into otherworldly formations, providing a surreal and alien landscape.
Salt Flats in Lut Desert
The Dasht-e Arzhan salt flats offer a striking visual contrast within the Lut Desert.
Stretching across vast expanses of the desert, the salt flats create expansive white plains that shimmer in the desert sun.
Moreover, salt pans form from ancient water evaporation, leaving behind salt and minerals.
The Dasht-e Arzhan salt flats provide a unique landscape within the desert, offering a stark contrast to the towering dunes and intricate rock formations found elsewhere in the region.
Illusions of Mirage Phenomenon
The extreme temperatures and arid conditions can sometimes give rise to mirages, optical illusions caused by the refraction of light.
These mirages, which can appear as shimmering pools of water or distant oases, add to the mystique and intrigue of the desert landscape.
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Habitat of Various Flora and Fauna
The Lut Desert hosts resilient flora and fauna despite extreme conditions.
Plants like the drought-tolerant Haloxylon trees and various desert shrubs manage to survive in this harsh climate.
Additionally, some small mammals, reptiles, and insects have adapted to the challenging conditions of this arid region.