HEAT 41.2°C
WIND 14 km/h
MIRAGE 0.62
drag across dunes to ripple sand
Oasis sighting3.2 km
Caravan dayDay 14
Visibility18 km
Water left62%

The horizon lies beautifully.

Three dune ridges breathe under a white-hot sun. Tune heat and wind to bend the horizon, summon storms, and march a caravan across the sand. Click the dunes to trigger miniature avalanches.

Hot air has a lower refractive index — rays curve upward and the sky appears below the horizon as shimmering water. Raise heat past 70% and the false lake solidifies.
Position: 0 / 12 markers

Tip: click any dune face to start a sand avalanche that obeys the slip-face angle.

Survey appendix · B — oasis estimator

Is that water real?

Guides judge mirages by shimmer height, palm sharpness, and hour. Set your reading below and the old surveyor renders a verdict.

Shimmer height 50%
Palm sharpness 50%
Hour past noon 2 h
The surveyor squints at the horizon…
Rule 1

High shimmer plus sharp palms equals lie. Real water shimmers low and soft.

Rule 2

Mirages die within an hour of noon either side. Morning lakes are liars.

Rule 3

Walk 500 paces. A mirage retreats; an oasis grows reeds and dragonflies.