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Sand Dunes, Maranhão State, Brazil October 1994.
This extensive sand dune region along the northeast coast of Brazil in the state of Maranhão
measures more than 40 miles (65 kilometers) in length. These dunes, classified as a parabolic or
blowout dune formation, usually form adjacent to beaches that have a large supply of sand and
strong prevailing onshore winds. The dunes are gradually encroaching westward because of the
prevailing easterly winds. The small city of Barreirinhas is barely visible on the eastern side
of the Rio Preguiças. A sand bar and its northwestward development at the mouth of the Rio
Preguiças result from the warm south equatorial current flowing northwestward along the
northeast coast of Brazil
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