Rub' al Khali, Sand desert in southern Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia
Sand dunes extend across vast plains with steep ridges and rounded slopes marked by brownish and ochre tones, occasionally interrupted by flat salt flats between the formations.
European explorers attempted to chart the southern sections beginning in the 16th century, but complete surveys only took place during the 20th century through government expeditions and geological studies for oil exploration.
Bedouin tribes conducted nomadic migrations across the region until the 20th century, using wells at hidden oases as meeting points and trading hubs for seasonal gatherings.
Visits require permits from local authorities, experienced desert guides and vehicles equipped with navigation systems, as summer temperatures exceed 122 Fahrenheit (50 Celsius) while October through April offers milder conditions.
Scientists have documented meteorological anomalies where rare rainfall events every few years trigger ephemeral plants that germinate, bloom and die within a matter of weeks.
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