Published on 28 October 2024
At over 100 metres in height, Dune du Pilat in France is the tallest sand dune in Europe. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and a vast pine forest to the east, the dune is composed of fine, shifting sands, shaped by wind and tides over thousands of years. The dune’s surrounding area features coastal wetlands and diverse ecosystems, making it a rich habitat for various flora and fauna.
In this image acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 4 October 2024, Dune du Pilat is visible, stretching approximately 2.7 kilometres along the French Atlantic coast. Towards the top of the image, the Cap Ferret peninsula can be seen.
Open data from the Copernicus Sentinel satellites helps to monitor coastal environments around the world, helping to ensure that their ecosystems and biodiversity are well preserved.
Source:
Copernicus. (2024, October 27). Dune du Pilat, France. Image of the Day.