Type, Distribution, Formation and Evolution of Coastal Aeolian Dunes

Abstract

Coastal Aeolian dunes are dynamic geomorphic systems affected by the interaction of sea, land, and atmosphere. Researchers began studying coastal Aeolian dunes in China in the 1980s, and their research focused on dune types and development processes of coastal Aeolian dunes before the early 21st century. As a result, significant progress has been made with regard to dune classification, distribution, formation, evolution, and sediment characteristics. Subsequently, researchers concentrated on characterizing aeolian sand transport process over beaches and dunes, which includes field investigations and observations of the wind flow over a typical dune surface, the vertical distribution pattern of sand transport, coastal Aeolian dune movement and morphological changes, and look forward to further clarify the dynamic process of the evolution of coastal aeolian dunes. This chapter aims to summarize the classification, distribution characteristics, origins, formation, and evolution of coastal Aeolian dunes along the China coastline based on previous research