Seasonal variation of crescentic dune morphology and morphometry, Strzelecki–Simpson Desert, Australia

Abstract

AbstractThe general absence of contemporary dune building in the Australian arid zone finds the occurrence of crescentic dune genesis and evolution at Gurra Gurra waterhole, a somewhat enigmatic event amongst prevalent inactive linear dunescapes. Crescentic dune construction is geographically restricted to areas of dominant unidirectional high windiness and minimal vegetation, parameters that are generally uncommon in arid Australia today. The influence of seasonal multidirectional winds can see dune form undergo continual transition between quasi‐equilibrium and disequilibrium. Such dynamic antithesis is depicted in seasonal mathematical comparisons of the planimetric attributes, length and width. Dimensional equilibrium is a transient feature at Gurra Gurra waterhole and not characteristic of this dunescape. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.