The Star Wars set from the 1999 movie Episode 1: The Phantom Menace may soon be buried by a fast-moving sand dune. Originally measured in 2009 at 20 feet tall and 300 feet wide, the dune is spilling onto the film’s set located in the Tunisian desert. The fast moving sand dune seems to be moving closer and closer toward the set at an average speed of 50 feet per year.
If you wish to visit Anakin Skywalker’s childhood home, you better hurry! The sand dune has covered about 1/8 of the set so far. Planetary scientist and Brigham Young University professor, Jani Radebaugh, estimates the area will be fully covered within five years.
According to Radebaugh, “dunes are one of the fastest-moving geological features, aside from lava flows and landslide.” She also pointed out that “bulldozing the dune to save the set isn’t an option because a larger dune follows behind.” In order to save the set, it would have to be completely moved to the south.
The set began attracting fans following the release of Episode 1 in 1999 and now brings in around 100,000 visitors per year. The original sets from the 1970s Star Wars movies has already been overrun by other dunes. So, if you’re a hardcore Star Wars fan, you better make it out to the set of Episode 1: The Phantom Menace before it’s too late! The clock is ticking.
