A desert is a region that has an average of less than 10 cm (2.5 inches) precipitation per year. Not all desert regions have enough sand and wind to form dunes. However, the world's deserts do contain some spectacular dune fields with interesting dune types.

A Calvin College Interim class spent three weeks in January 2007 studying sand dunes. Along with several field trips to Michigan's coastal dunes, they learned about desert dunes and constructed web pages describing some dune types that are NOT found in Michigan.