How a Canadian ice sheet helped create a 'desert' in Maine
So, why is there a random desert in the middle of the woods in Maine?
The 20 acres of sand dunes are a result of a Canadian ice sheet that spread to Maine nearly 27,000 years ago. As the ice retreated, sand crushed beneath it, blew around and landed in Freeport, Maine, until the forest matured.
The area then became a farm during the American Civil War. When the sheep grazed the grass, patches of sand beneath it were uncovered, eventually overtaking the entire area.
Watch the video above to learn more about the unique desert landscape in Maine.
