Oleshky Sands

June 11, 2019

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Photographer: Gary Blaisdell
Summary Author: Gary Blaisdell 

Shown above is the Oleshky Sands, found in the extreme south of the Ukraine. It’s the 2nd largest deposit of exposed sand in all of Europe, occupying some 161,000 acres (hectares). These sands lie in back of the Dnieper River (the southern bank of the river), approximately 18 miles (30 km) from the Black Sea. Ancient alluvial deposits from the Dnieper River are the source of the sand. A number of the barchan dunes that populate this area reach 16 ft (5 m) in height. In 2015, the National Bank of Ukraine issued a coin commemorating the Oleshky Sands. Photo taken on August 23, 2018.