The sand dunes migration patterns in Mesr Erg region using satellite imagery analysis and wind data

Abstract

Understanding the situation, behavior and the nature of sand dunes and also their location, transport and deposition are very important. On the other hand, the importance of sand dunes is due to the impacts that they have on water and soil resources, flora and fauna and human infrastructure. This study, looks at the development patterns of sand dunes in Mesr erg region. In the first part, data and satellite imagery were analyzed with different time intervals. In the second part, wind data of Ardestān, Isfahan, Kashan, Natanz, Khoor and Byabanak stations were studied to monitor the status of the wind regime, and its impact on the dynamics of the Mesr sand dunes. The results indicate that the area affected by the prevailing winds from Northwest Southeast direction during the cold days during the entire year, so that major translocations fit this trend in the erg surface. However, average Migration over the dunes was measured 8 meters per year. During the summer, following the establishment of a low-pressure system over the Dasht-e Kavir, winds from the Northeast direction result in irregularities in the sand dunes morphology, therefore evidence of these irregularities, is the dunes Migration to the Southwest direction.