Structure of Atlas Database

The database consists of:

1. Base imagery - provides a landscape and spatial reference
2. Aeolian deposits - polygons to show location and extent of dunes and other aeolian deposits
3. Sample locations - points to show locations of dated materials (e.g. OSL ages)
4. Sample information - extensive sample attribute data

Base imagery

Currently we use Landsat mosaics from the Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF). These are MrSID files that are highly compressed, but have an adequate spatial resolution for on-screen digitizing of aeolian deposits.

Click image for enlargement

Click image for enlargement

MrSID images of Kelso Dunes, Mojave Desert, CA

In future this database may move to Google Earth

Dune polygons

Can be digitized on-screen or imported from existing data

Polygon representing dune areas in the Sinai desert. Image by Haim Tsoar. Click for enlargement.

Dune area in Death Valley delineated on image data. Click image for enlargement.

Published map (Lancaster, 1998) of Namib Sand Sea. Click image for enlargement.

Attributes

• Location
• Name (augments location)
• Deposit type: e.g. dune, sand ramp, sand sheet etc
• Activity: active, partially active, inactive
• Morphology - dune types
• Crescentic, linear, star, parabolic, etc
• Primary, Secondary, Tertiary etc. (in order of spatial extent in sand sea)
• Area
• Latitude
• Longitude
• Continent
• Key References

Sample locations

RSL sample locations at Kelso Dunes. Click image for enlargement.

• Attributes
• location
• latitude
• longitude
• * ID

This is a one-to-many relationship for point locations where multiple samples are taken from a stratigraphic column – this data is stored in another table and related to the sample locations attribute table – see image below

Sample attributes

• sample number
• lab number
• ID (for relating tables)
• continent
• material dated
• eolian deposit type (e.g. dune, sand sheet)
• Dating information
  • Radiocarbon
    • rc (radio carbon) active
    • rc stable
    • rc error
    • rc  calibration information (upper and lower bounds, average)
  • Luminescence dating
  • Quartz TL (QTL)
    • error
  • Feldspar TL (FTL)
    • error
  • Infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL)
    • error
  • Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL)
    • error
  • Tephra date
  • U-series date
• Key references (e.g. including source of dating information)

This database structure permits adding additional information at a later data (e.g grain size data, sample mineralogy etc).

Click images for enlargements