2010 Map of Heart of the Sands

About this map

White Sands dominates this 2010 survey of the New Mexico desert, illustrating the minimal human footprint in this unique environmental landscape. The geological character of the region is defined by the extensive Alkali Flat, which stretches across the western portion of the quadrangle. A significant geographic marker, the Heart of the Sands, is situated along the eastern edge, showing the specific dune formations that characterize the area. Infrastructure is nearly non-existent in this arid interior, with the notable exception of Loop Dr, a lone road providing access into the dunes from the east. This map serves as a clear record of the area's physical geography before any major contemporary shifts in the Tularosa Basin's shifting sands.