A global shortage of construction-grade sand is reshaping coastlines, destabilizing ecosystems, and putting activists in the crosshairs of violent mafias.

Discover the urgent global crisis of sand depletion, a critical but overlooked resource essential for construction and infrastructure. Learn how rapid urbanization and the growing demand for sand are fueling illegal sand mining,

The Anasazi, a once-flourishing tribe in the American Southwest, lived on bounties of corn, squash and beans. In 1276 A.D., however, a long, unforgiving drought made agriculture untenable, forcing them to migrate away from their settlements.

A close-knit neighborhood in Sand Springs is raising alarms about a proposal to mine sand along its community beach, saying the plan could permanently change the area and the way families have lived for decades.

Most beaches have sand that’s pale, soft, and familiar. But some beaches stand out because of their sand color.