Transverse Dune Fields Research Articles

Trace Evidence from Mars’ Past: Fingerprinting Transverse Aeolian Ridges

Linear dunes and human fingerprints share many characteristics. Both have ridges, valleys, and defects (minutiae) in the form of bifurcations and termination of ridgeline features. For dunes, determining how defects vary across linear and transverse dunefields is critical to understanding the physics of their formative processes and the physical forcing mechanisms that produce dunefields. Unfortunately, manual extraction of defect locations and higher order characteristics (type, orientation, and quality) from remotely sensed imagery is both time-consuming and inconsistent. This problem is further exacerbated when, in the case of imagery from sensors in orbit around Mars, we are unable to field check interpretations. In this research, we apply a novel technique for extracting defects from multiple imagery sources utilizing a robust and well-documented fingerprint minutiae detection and extraction software (MINDTCT: MINutiae DecTeCTion) developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). We apply our ‘fingerprinting’ approach to Transverse Aeolian Ridges (TARs), relict aeolian features commonly seen on the surface of Mars, whose depositional and formative processes are poorly understood. Our algorithmic approach demonstrates that automating the rapid extraction of defects from orbitally-derived high-resolution imagery of Mars is feasible and produces maps that allow the quantification and analysis of these features.

Parabolic dune development modes according to shape at the southern fringes of the Hobq Desert, Inner Mongolia, China

Since the 1970s, parabolic dunes at the southern fringe of the Hobq Desert, Inner Mongolia, China have exhibited many different shapes (V-shaped, U-shaped, and palmate) each with a unique mode of development. In the study area, parabolic dunes are mainly distributed in Regions A, B, and C with an intermittent river running from the south to the north. We used high-resolution remote-sensing images from 1970 to 2014 and RTK-GPS measurements to study the development modes of different dune shapes; the modes are characterized by the relationship between the intermittent river and dunes, formation of the incipient dune patterns, the predominant source supply of dunes, and the primary formation of different shapes (V-shaped, U-shaped, and palmate). Most parabolic dunes in Region A are V-shaped and closer to the bank of the river. The original barchans in this region exhibit “disconnected arms” behavior. With the sand blown out of the riverbed through gullies, the nebkhas on the disconnected arms acquire the external sand source through the “fertile island effect”, thereby developing into triangular sand patches and further developing into V-shaped parabolic dunes. Most parabolic dunes in Regions B and C are palmate. The residual dunes cut by the re-channelization of river from transverse dune fields on the west bank are the main sand source of Region B. The parabolic dunes in Region C are the original barchans having then been transformed. The stoss slopes of V-shaped parabolic dunes along the riverbank are gradual and the dunes are flat in shape. The dune crest of V-shaped parabolic dune is the deposition area, which forms the “arc-shaped sand ridge”. Their two arms are non-parallel; the lateral airflow of the arms jointly transport sand to the middle part of dunes, resulting in a narrower triangle that gradually becomes V-shaped. Palmate parabolic dunes have a steeper stoss slope and height. The dune crest of the palmate parabolic dune is the erosion area, which forms a long and narrow trough between nebkhas by the “funnelling effect”. This process forces sand towards lee slopes, which transform from concave (original barchans) into convex, ultimately resulting in the formation of palmate parabolic dunes.

Island-Encapsulating Eolian Sedimentary Systems of the Canary and Cape Verde Archipelagos

Abstract: Eolian dunes are generally absent or poorly developed on oceanic islands. Yet, large-scale eolian sedimentary systems characterize the oceanic islands of the Canary and Cape Verde archipelagos. These island-encapsulating sedimentary systems extend around or across entire islands and comprise upwind source areas, eolian transport corridors, and downwind sediment depocenters, each of which is characterized by distinctive dune forms. Upwind beaches are denuded of sand, while downwind locations exhibit progressive shoreline accretion. Cross-island transport corridors developed in topographic lows on the island surface are characterized by a variety of landforms including sandsheets, barchanoid dunes, and transverse dunefields, depending on topography and local sediment volume and supply. Circum-island transport corridors develop when the island topography is high and sediment transport takes place on the island margins, alternating between headland-bypass dunes and longshore transport in the littoral zone in the intervening embayments. Depocenters comprise extensive eolian dunefields, prograding beaches, or beach ridges depending on local topography. Recognition of the interconnected nature of the components of these contemporary systems has important management implications. The presence of these sedimentary systems in the Canary and Cape Verde chains can be attributed to a particular combination of geological and geographical factors. The thick lithosphere in which the island chains occur slows subsidence rates and creates long-lived oceanic islands that are exposed to weathering and erosion for several million years during which terrestrial denudation and biogenic sediment production creates a sufficient volume of littoral sediment. From a geographical perspective, these islands are in arid or semiarid environments with unidirectional or strongly asymmetrical transport-capable winds (i.e., trade winds).

Controls on and effects of armoring and vertical sorting in aeolian dune fields: A numerical simulation study

AbstractUnlike ripples, there are only few numerical studies on grain size segregation at the scale of dunes in aeolian environments. Here we use a cellular automaton model to analyze vertical sorting in granular mixtures under steady unidirectional flow conditions. We investigate the feedbacks between dune growth and the segregation mechanisms by varying the size of coarse grains and their proportion within the bed. We systematically observe the development of a horizontal layer of coarse grains at the top of which sorted bed forms may grow by amalgamation. The formation of such an armor layer controls the overall sediment transport and availability. The emergence of dunes and the transition from barchan to transverse dune fields depend only on the grain size distribution of the initial sediment layer. As confirmed by observation, this result indicates that armor layers should be present in most arid deserts, where they are likely to control dune morphodynamics.

Development and steady states of transverse dunes: A numerical analysis of dune pattern coarsening and giant dunes

AbstractWe investigate the development and steady states of transverse dunes for ranges of flow depths and velocities using a cellular automaton dune model. Subsequent to the initial bed instability, dune pattern coarsening is driven by bed form interactions. Collisions lead to two types of coalescence associated with upstream or downstream dominant dunes. In addition, a single collision‐ejection mechanism enhances the exchange of mass between two adjacent bed forms (throughpassing dunes). The power law increases in wavelength and amplitude exhibit the same exponents, which are independent of flow properties. Contrary to the wavelength, dune height is limited not only by flow depth but also by the strength of the flow. Superimposed bed forms may propagate and continuously destabilize the largest dunes. We identify three classes of steady state transverse dune fields according to the periodicity in crest‐to‐crest spacing and the mechanism of size limitation. In all cases, the steady state is reached and maintained through the dynamic equilibrium between flow strength and dune aspect ratio. In the limit of low flow strength, where it becomes the primary factor of size limitation, the bed shear stress in the dune trough regions is close to its critical value for motion inception. Comparisons with natural dune fields suggest that many of them may have reached a steady state. Finally, we infer that the sedimentary patterns in the model may be used to bring new constraints on the development of modern and ancient dune fields.

A preliminary classification of coastal sand dunes of KwaZulu-Natal

Jackson, D.W.T.., Cooper, J.A.G., Green, A.N., 2014. A preliminary classification of sand dunes of the KwaZulu-Natal coast. In: Green, A.N. and Cooper, J.A.G. (eds.), Proceedings 13th International Coastal Symposium (Durban, South Africa), Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 70, pp. 718–722, ISSN 0749-0208.The 550 km-long KwaZulu-Natal coast broadly divides into a bedrock-framed southern section and northern coastal plain section, each of approximately equal length. Seven types of coastal dune are identified on this coast: estuary barrier dunes; mainland beach foredunes; prograded beachridge dunes; headland bypass dunes; transverse dune fields; parabolic/migrating dunefield; and climbing dunes. The development and distribution of the various dune forms is more strongly controlled by the geological setting, than the aerodynamic regime.

Backbeach Deflation Aprons: Morphology and Sedimentology

Backbeach deflation aprons are heterogeneous, coarse clastic deposits associated with active transverse dune fields. The apron comprises variously angular, rounded, fractured, cracked, polished, and ventifacted clasts of bedrock (local and exotic), beachrock, and bioherm fragments (coral and worm reef). Terrestrial and anthropogenic clasts (from archeological sites, deflated dunes, flotsam, and shipwrecks) are also present. The unit forms as a lag deposit on top of a gently sloping (ca. 0.008), planar sandy deflation surface and is typically only one clast thick. It is up to 100 m wide and extends for tens of kilometers along the coast. It is replaced landward by a steep (ca. 0.1) deflated soil surface armored with a layer of iron concretions. Backbeach deflation aprons are compound deposits that result from marine storm, eolian, and human activity since the mid- Holocene. The depositional model proposed involves periodic storm deposition of coarse clasts (of beachrock, bedrock, and biogenic origin) and flotsam (shipwreck and other floating debris) on the backbeach or dunes. Some clasts are deposited directly into interdune depressions and enter the deflation plain immediately. Others are deposited initially on dune surfaces. Dune migration results in winnowing of the storm-deposited coarse clasts (together with rhizoliths and any other coarse material in the dune) until they come to rest on the deflation surface. The lag deposit is subsequently buried and uncovered multiple times by dune migration, during which time it is exposed to polishing and subaerial weathering. Consequently, the lag comprises a variety of materials that reflect both storm and eolian processes. The clasts exhibit variable degrees of rounding, polishing, and ventification according to how long they have been in the deposit.Backbeach deflation aprons are characteristic of sandy beaches along approximately 475 km (. 10% of the total length) of the South African east coast. They develop in association with large-scale transverse dunefields on the backbeach, which in turn depend on reversing shore-parallel winds and high sediment abundance. The variable degree of polishing and weathering, planar surface, low elevation, and back-beach location along extensive shoreline distances distinguish backbeach deflation aprons from tsunami or marine storm deposits.

Morphodynamics of barchan and transverse dunes using a cellular automaton model

We analyze the morphodynamics of bedforms produced under unidirectional flow conditions by a lattice gas cellular automaton designed to study sediment transport. In this model, the same instability is responsible for the formation of dunes on flat sand beds and the initiation of superimposed bedforms on dune slopes. In transverse dune fields, secondary bedforms increase crestline sinuosity and number of defects (end of crestlines). On the other hand, avalanches and lateral grain motions tend to eliminate these defects to produce more regular crestlines. Lateral fluxes of sediment are also essential for stabilizing the shape of isolated barchan dunes. We measure the propagation speed of superimposed bedforms on steady state barchan dunes and show how they contribute to the formation and detachment of smaller barchans along horns. The model predicts that barchan dunes are not scale invariant and that their shape varies with respect to the strength of the flow. In addition, we show that the increase in bed shear stress between the ground and the crest is proportional to the dune aspect ratio. Finally, we present a general methodology for estimating the sediment flux over the brink from dune aspect ratio and flow velocity. Using these fluxes, we rescale the propagation speed of different generations of bedforms to verify that dunes and secondary bedforms are dynamically identical. Despite more fluctuations than in the case of isolated barchan dunes, all these geometric and dynamical relationships hold for a population of dunes with complex dune‐dune interactions.

Modeling transverse dunes with vegetation

In the present work, we use dune modeling in order to investigate the evolution of transverse dunes in the presence of vegetation. The vegetation is allowed to grow up to a maximum height H max with a growth rate R that oscillates in time. We find that the presence of the vegetation establishes a maximum height for the transverse dunes. If the transverse dune is larger than this maximum size, then the vegetation traps a considerable amount of sand, leading to the formation of vegetation marks at the upwind side of the dune. We also investigate the formation of the transverse dune fields from a flat sand beach under saturated sand flux and vegetation growth. We find that the behavior of the field is determined by the maximum height, H max , of the vegetation cover.

The influence of different environmental and climatic conditions on vegetated aeolian dune landscape development and response

Aeolian dune field development in coastal and semi-arid environments is a function of complex ecogeomorphic interactions which are sensitive to fluctuations in climatic and environmental conditions. We explore the relationships between ecological and geomorphic processes in the development of these landscape patterns and speculate on their response to variations in vegetation vitality and sediment transport capacity, indicating possible consequences of climate and land use change, using the Discrete ECogeomorphic Aeolian Landscape (DECAL) cellular automaton algorithm. This algorithm models dune field behaviour that reflects long-term trends prevalent in palaeo-records, but also elucidates possible evolutionary progressions, relaxation period sequences and threshold sensitivities. The landscape response is sensitive both to the perturbation itself and the state of the system when the disturbance occurs. Response amplitude decreases in simulated systems with reduced mobility unless an external disturbance mimicking fire or land clearance is applied concurrently with a reduction in growth vigour triggering a threshold type response when sufficient vegetation is removed. The model demonstrates that the relative response characteristics of the multiple vegetation types and their mutual feedback with geomorphic processes impart a significant influence on landscape equilibrium or attractor states. Fast growing vegetation enables the formation of hairpin (long-walled) parabolic dune systems, which eventually become sediment starved and stabilise, whereas inhospitable conditions inhibiting vegetation growth contribute to the development of active transgressive transverse dune fields. This simple vegetated dune model illustrates the power and versatility of a cellular automaton approach for exploring thresholds, sensitivities and possible evolutionary trajectories associated with the interactions between ecology, geomorphology and climatic conditions in complex earth surface systems.

Profile measurement and simulation of a transverse dune field in the Lençóis Maranhenses

In this work, we report measurements of the height profile of transverse dunes in the coastal dune field known as “Lençóis Maranhenses”, northeastern Brazil. Our measurements show that transverse dunes with approximately the same height present a variable brink position relative to the crest, in contrast to the case of barchan dunes. Based on our field data, we present a relation for the dune spacing as a function of the crest–brink distances of transverse dunes. Furthermore, we compare the measurements with simulations of transverse dunes obtained from a two-dimensional dune model, where a phenomenological definition is introduced for the length of the separation streamlines on the lee side of closely spaced transverse dunes. We find that our model reproduces transverse dune fields with similar interdune distances and dune aspect ratios as measured in the field.

Modeling microwave emissions of erg surfaces in the Sahara desert

Sand seas (ergs) of the Sahara are the most dynamic parts of the desert. Aeolian erosion, transportation, and deposition continue to reshape the surface of the ergs. The large-scale features (dunes) of these bedforms reflect the characteristics of the sand and the long-term wind. Radiometric emissions from the ergs have strong dependence on the surface geometry. We model the erg surface as composed of tilted rough facets. Each facet is characterized by a tilt distribution dependent upon the surface roughness of the facet. The radiometric temperature (T/sub b/) of ergs is then the weighted sum of the T/sub b/ from all the facets. We use dual-polarization T/sub b/ measurements at 19 and 37 GHz from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager aboard the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Microwave Imager to analyze the radiometric response of erg surfaces and compare them to the model results. The azimuth angle (/spl phi/) modulation of T/sub b/ is caused by the surface geometrical characteristics. It is found that longitudinal and transverse dune fields are differentiable based on their polarization difference (/spl Delta/T/sub b/) /spl phi/-modulation, which reflects type and orientation of dune facets. /spl Delta/T/sub b/ measurements at 19 and 37 GHz provide consistent results. The magnitude of /spl Delta/T/sub b/ at 37 GHz is lower than at 19 GHz due to higher attenuation. The analysis of /spl Delta/T/sub b/ over dry sand provides a unique insight into radiometric emission over ergs.

MODELLING FORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF TRANSVERSE DUNE FIELDS

We model formation and evolution of transverse dune fields. In the model, only the cross section of the dune is simulated. The only physical variable of relevance is the dune height, from which the dune width and velocity are determined, as well as phenomenological rules for interaction between two dunes of different heights. We find that dune fields with no sand on the ground between dunes are unstable, i.e., small dunes leave the higher ones behind. We then introduce a saturation length to simulate transverse dunes on a sand bed and show that this leads to stable dune fields with regular spacing and dune heights. Finally, we show that our model can be used to simulate coastal dune fields if a constant sand influx is considered, where the dune height increases with the distance from the beach, reaching a constant value.

Simulation of the effect of wind speedup in the formation of transverse dune fields

A computer simulation model for transverse-dune-field dynamics, corresponding to a uni-directional wind regime, is developed. In a previous formulation, two distinct problems were found regarding the cross-sectional dune shape, namely the erosion in the lee of dunes and the steepness of the windward slopes. The first problem is solved by introducing no erosion in shadow zones. The second issue is overcome by introducing a wind speedup (shear velocity increase) factor, which can be accounted for by adding a term to the original transport length, which is proportional to the surface height. By incorporating these features we are able to model dunes whose individual shape and collective patterns are similar to those observed in nature. Moreover we show how the introduction of a non-linear shear-velocity-increase term leads to the reduction of dune height, and this may result in an equilibrium dune field configuration. This is thought to be because the non-linear increase of the transport length makes the sand trapping efficiency lower than unity, even for higher dunes, so that the incoming and the outgoing sand flux are in balance. To fully describe the inter-dune morphology more precise dynamics in the lee of the dune must be incorporated. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Aeolian Dunes as Evidence for Explosive Volcanism in the Tharsis Region of Mars

Two transverse dune fields occur among Late Amazonian volcanic and aeolian landforms in southwestern Tharsis, Mars. The first is located ∼70 km northwest of Biblis Patera, around 5°N, 125°W. The second is located about 500 km northwest of Arsia Mons, at 2°S, 130°W. The latter is the largest dune field thus far documented to occur in the equatorial latitudes of Mars. Unlike other dunes on the planet, both dune fields in Tharsis have low thermal inertias (<2.7 × 10−3cal cm−2sec−0.5K−1) and high albedos (∼0.26) that are indistinct from their surrounding terrain. Both dune fields have superposed features, such as impact craters, lava flows, smooth-surfaced units, and bright wind streaks. The dune fields therefore appear to be inactive and mantled by fine-grained material (i.e., particles <60 μm). To form, aeolian dunes require a supply of sand. On Earth, most dune sands are supplied by fluvial and littoral processes, but this is not the case in Tharsis on Mars. Because they are superposed on a Late Amazonian surface, the climate is assumed to have been hyper-arid throughout the time that the dunes have existed. Under these conditions, the only plausible source for quantities of sediment sufficient to form transverse dune fields is explosive volcanism. Therefore, the two dune fields in Tharsis are evidence that explosive volcanism has occurred in this region in the Late Amazonian Epoch.

An evaluation of the vegetation developed after artificially stabilizing South African coastal dunes with indigenous species

A total of 17 sites along the eastern Cape coastline, which had been established with indigenous species, were sampled to assess species composition and abundance. The areas sampled ranged from small blowout dunes of 1 ha, to extensive transverse dune fields of 134 ha; age at the time of sampling ranged from 2 to 20 yr. The total mean percentage cover and density, alpha diversity and importance values of all the species were calculated and used to describe each site. A TWINSPAN analysis grouped sites of similar localities, mainly on the basis of their species composition. A DECORANA plot revealed that axis 1 corresponded to the position of sites along the coastline rather than other factors, such as age. The variability in species composition was related more to the types of species used for stabilization, rather than the natural distribution of the indigenous dune vegetation. The species ordination showed a similar gradient, and it was possible from this analysis to determine which species were more commonly used and better suited for dune stabilization. It is concluded that successful stabilization can be achieved using indigenous species.

Structural and sedimentological controls on diagenesis in the Ravenspurn North gas reservoir, UK Southern North Sea

The Rotliegend Lower Leman Sandstone Formation has been studied near the northern limit of its development in Ravenspurn North to determine the influence of structure, sedimentology and diagenesis on reservoir quality. The Lower Leman Sandstone in this area is about 300 ft thick and comprises six depositional cycles which reflect alternating periods of relatively dry and wet climate. Aeolian sands form the best reservoir and formed as small westward-migrating transverse dune fields and draa, at most 60 ft thick. These dunes were frequently reworked by southerly derived, strong fluvial sheetfloods which drained into the Silverpit playa lake. The Ravenspurn area is divided into main northwest-southeast-trending fault blocks which are markedly different in terms of their diagenetic evolution and reservoir performance. The northeasterly B structure contained gas earlier and was unaffected by mid- to late Jurassic illitization. The southwesterly A structure was uplifted later and received accumulated gas after reservoir quality was reduced by pervasive illitization. A hierarchy of factors influenced the diagenesis. These were the primary lithological variation, burial history and the structural development of the Ravenspurn North area. Depositional processes also influenced diagenesis; the deposition of allogenic clay and the formation of early quartz, non-ferroan dolomite and anhydrite reduced the reservoir quality of fluvial sheetfloods. Burial diagenesis resulted initially in ferroan dolomite, kaolinite and later quartz precipitation in available primary and secondary porosity. Stable isotope and fluid inclusion studies indicate that ferroan dolomite and later quartz precipitated at about 100°C in Triassic-early Jurassic times from reduced fluids derived partly from the Carboniferous basement. Mixing of these fluids with more alkaline connate water was the main triggering mechanism for authigenic mineral formation. Gas accumulation took place first in the northeasterly B structure which had early closure; the last authigenic phase to precipitate here was poikilotopic siderite at temperatures of about 120°C. Elsewhere diagenetic fluids evolved to a more alkaline state and widespread illitization took place which particularly affected more permeable aeolian facies. The illitization reduced the reservoir quality of the Lower Leman Sandstone and contributed to diagenetic sealing (to the northwest) of the field. K–Ar dating indicates that peak illitization took place between 150–170 Ma (mid–late Jurassic). Subsequent periods of uplift in the late Cimmerian and particularly during the early Tertiary–Miocene produced the final structure of Ravenspurn North and the spillage of gas into this structure. The combination of structural and diagenetic events explains the differences in reservoir quality and well performance of the two structural blocks in the field.