Book 16, Question 37
Why Is Sand Too Hot to Walk on at Midday?
Sand gets too hot to walk on because it soaks up the Sun's energy! Dry sand is also not good at carrying heat downward, so the top layer gets very hot. That hot sand can burn bare skin.
More fun facts
- At midday in summer, sand at Great Sand Dunes National Park can heat to over 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Hot sand can blister feet or even cause serious burns.
- The same amount of heat warms sand much more than it warms water.
- Young children are closer to the hot ground, so they can overheat faster.
- Rangers suggest exploring dunes in the early morning or evening in summer.
Sources: National Park Service, National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey
Questions kids ask
How hot can dune sand get?
At midday in summer, sand at Great Sand Dunes National Park can heat to over 150 degrees Fahrenheit.