Geological Monument Duunsche Landen Blowhole - Annen

The Duunsche Landen blowhole is a special nature reserve in Drenthe, near the village of Annen. This area is the largest blowout basin in the province and was officially designated a geological monument in 2019. A blowout basin is formed when the wind blows away sand during the ice age, creating a deep hole in the landscape. This hole later filled with peat, but has largely disappeared due to drainage and reclamation. The large sand dune on the eastern side of the area is still clearly visible.

This blowout bowl was formed during the last ice age, when strong polar winds carried away the loose sand, leaving a large hole. Over thousands of years, the area changed due to natural processes and human influence. Nowadays it is difficult to see the hole itself, but the shape of the landscape still shows traces of this ancient force of nature. The area is one of ten geological monuments in Drenthe.

The blowhole basin is located in the Hondsrug UNESCO Global Geopark and is an important area for plants and animals. The area is home to badgers, beavers and rare plants such as the grass bellflower. Cattle graze here to help prevent the area from becoming overgrown and thus preserve the natural environment. The Drenthe Landscape Foundation and WMD Drinking Water manage this nature reserve and ensure that it is preserved for the future.