Say What? Earth

Whirlwinds of crystals called gravel devils spotted in Andes Mountains

Large hunks of gypsum swept between two volcanoes

a gravel devil

CRYSTAL SWIRL  Swirling winds in the Andes Mountains can carry gypsum crystals several kilometers before dumping them in large piles.

K. Benison/Geology 2017

By Thomas Sumner

- More than 2 years ago

Gravel devil
GRAV-uhl DEV-uhl n.

A whirlwind containing gravel-sized debris

Towering, crystal-filled twisters periodically swirl in a valley nestled between two volcanoes in the Andes Mountains, newly reported observations show.