Project funded by INQUA (Project 0704) and DRI

Introduction

Aeolian sand dunes are typically found in more or less continuous areas of sand accumulation known as sand seas or dune fields. Such features occur wherever there is a supply of sand for transport, winds to transport sediment from source areas to depositional loci, and conditions that promote deposition downwind from the source area. Sand seas and dune fields contain the majority of aeolian sand in arid and semi-arid areas in low and mid latitudes. In addition, there are significant areas of dunes that have accumulated in past and present periglacial environments and coastal areas.

Despite their significance and wide geographical extent, there is no complete and geographically accurate global map of these dune fields, although the location and general extent of individual sand seas and dune fields are depicted in many publications.

Objectives

The primary objective of this project is to develop a global digital database of geographically-accurate maps of individual desert dune fields and sand seas using a GIS approach. The map database will incorporate information on dune morphology, activity status, and dune chronology, so enabling regional and global correlation of periods of dune construction or reworking via construction of time-slice maps of dune development and extent. Metadata associated with each dune field will include full information on the levels of confidence to be placed in the chronologic data, literature citations, and other pertinent information as available. The compilations will be made available as a web-accessible database and in a gridded form, thereby facilitating modeling and verification of past, present, and future climates.

To participate in the project, or for additional information please contact:

Nicholas Lancaster
Research Professor
Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences
Desert Research Institute
2215 Raggio Parkway
Reno, NV 89512-1095, USA
Nick.Lancaster@dri.edu