Geomorphology of Desert Dunes

by Lancaster,Nicholas

• ISBN13: 9780415060943
• ISBN10: 041506094X
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1995-10-17
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Sand dunes cover up to a quarter of many desert regions. Understanding the factors that determine their shape, size and dynamics is important to an understanding of many aspects of the geomorphology and ecology of desert regions, as well as to resource management in these areas. This book offers a comprehensive understanding of how desert dunes are formed, how they change and their environmental importance. Analyzing dune types, patterns, sand seas and sediments, and dune dynamics and processes at different temporal and spatial scales, the author draws on extensive research from the deserts of South Africa, North America, India, Northern Europe and Australia. Investigating the role of climatic change,The Geomorphology of Desert Dunesconcludes that a better understanding of dune processes and dynamics is vital for effective and appropriate mitigation of environmental problems in arid regions.

Table of Contents

List of figures	viii
List of plates	xiv
List of tables	xvi
Preface	xvii
Acknowledgements	xviii
Introduction	1	(9)
Problems and challenges in dune geomorphology	1	(3)
Development of modern dune studies	4	(2)
Aspects of dune studies	6	(1)
Contemporary paradigms for dune studies	7	(3)
Sand Transport by the Wind	10	(34)
Introduction	10	(1)
The surface wind	11	(4)
Entrainment of sand by the wind	15	(8)
Saltation processes	23	(4)
Sand transport equations	27	(4)
Controls on sand transport rates	31	(5)
Wind ripples	36	(6)
Conclusions	42	(2)
Dune Morphology and Morphometry	44	(41)
Introduction	44	(1)
Dune classifications	45	(3)
Aeolian bedform hierarchies	48	(2)
Morphology and morphometry of major dune types	50	(33)
Conclusions	83	(2)
Dune Sediments	85	(37)
Introduction	85	(1)
Dune sands	85	(8)
Sedimentary structures of major dune types	93	(11)
Grain size and sorting characteristics of dune sands	104	(14)
Interdune deposits	118	(1)
Conclusions	119	(3)
Dune Dynamics	122	(42)
Introduction	122	(1)
Dune initiation	123	(4)
Airflow over dunes	127	(19)
Erosion and deposition patterns on dunes	146	(8)
Relations between erosion and deposition patterns and winds	154	(3)
Development of dune profiles	157	(5)
Conclusions	162	(2)
Controls of Dune Morphology	164	(34)
Introduction	164	(1)
Factors that may determine dune morphology	164	(15)
Controls on dune size and spacing	179	(6)
Aerodynamic models for dune spacing	185	(5)
Development of compound and complex dunes	190	(3)
A general model for dune size and spacing	193	(2)
Controls on dune alignment	195	(2)
Conclusions	197	(1)
Sand Seas	198	(30)
Introduction	198	(1)
Sand sea accumulation	198	(11)
Dune patterns in sand seas	209	(13)
Grain size and sorting patterns in sand seas	222	(3)
Modes of sand sea accumulation	225	(1)
Conclusions	226	(2)
Palaeoenvironments and Dunes	228	(27)
Introduction	228	(2)
Dune systems and palaeoclimates	230	(7)
Palaeoclimatic information from dune systems	237	(6)
Interdune deposits	243	(2)
Effects of climatic changes and sand sea and dune development	245	(9)
Conclusions	254	(1)
Review and Prospect	255	(3)
Conclusions	256	(2)
References	258	(22)
Index	280