Characteristics of wind-blown sand in the region of the Crescent Moon Spring of Dunhuang, China

Abstract

Based on the detailed wind data, this paper aims to investigate wind regime, drift potential and the movement of mega-dunes at the Crescent Moon Spring, an important scenic spot in western China and to clarify the dominant factors that control sand transport in this region. The results of this paper revealed that the dominant wind directions at the spring were NW and SW. The spring region belonged to a low-energy wind environment. The wind regime and sand drift potential were hugely influenced by local topography, and the regional atmospheric circulation intensified the complexity of their variations. Besides, the movement of the southern and northern mega-dune towards the spring greatly endangered the preservation of this scenic spot. These results provide insights into the characteristics of wind-blown sand at the Crescent Moon Spring that will guide efforts to control sand damages.