Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
physically based wind-erosion scheme, a high-resolution
atmospheric model, a dust-transport model, and a GIS
database (Lu and Shao 2001). The system predicts the
pattern and intensity of wind erosion, and especially dust
emissions from the soil surface and dust concentrations in
the atmosphere. It can also be used to predict individual
dust-storm events.
FURTHER READING
Cooke, R. U., Warren, A., and Goudie, A. S. (1993)
Desert Geomorphology
. London: UCL Press.
Comprehensive and clear account of form and process
in arid and semi-arid environments.
Goudie, A. S., Livingstone, I., and Stokes, S. (eds)
(1999)
Aeolian Environments, Sediments and Landforms
.
Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.
Perhaps a little heavy for the neophyte, but full of
excellent papers.
SUMMARY
Several landforms are products of wind erosion. Exam-
ples are lag deposits and stone pavements, deflation
hollows and pans, yardangs and
Zeugen
, and ventifacts.
Sand accumulations range in size from ripples, through
dunes, to dunefields and sand seas. Dunes may be
grouped into free and anchored types. Free dunes include
transverse dunes, seifs, star dunes, and zibars. Anchored
dunes form with the help of topography or vegetation.
They include echo dunes, falling dunes, parabolic dunes,
and coastal dunes. Dunefields and sand seas are collec-
tions of individual dunes. The largest sand sea - the
Rub' al Khali of Saudi Arabia - occupies 770,000 km
2
.
Loess is an accumulation of windblown silt particles and
covers about 5-10 per cent of the land surface. Wind
erosion can often be a self-inflicted hazard to humans,
damaging agricultural and recreational land and harm-
ing human health. Several models predict wind erosion
at field and regional scales, the latest examples combining
physical processes with GIS databases and atmospheric
models.
Lancaster, N. (1995)
Geomorphology of Desert Dunes
.
London: Routledge.
If you are interested in sand dunes, then look no further.
Livingstone, I. and Warren, A. (1996)
Aeolian Geomor-
phology: An Introduction
. Harlow, Essex: Longman.
The best introduction to the subject. A must for the
serious student.
Thomas, D. S. G. (ed.) (1997)
Arid Zone Geomorphol-
ogy: Process, Form and Change in Drylands
, 2nd edn.
Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.
An excellent collection of essays that is full of interesting
ideas and examples.
ESSAY QUESTIONS
1 How does wind shape landforms?
2 How do sand dunes form?
3 Discuss the problems and remedies of
soil erosion by wind.
