Luo, W., Wang, Z., Lu, J. et al. (4 more authors) (2019) Mega-blowouts in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: morphology, distribution and initiation. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 44 (2). pp. 449-458. ISSN 0197-9337
Abstract
Blowouts are wind‐eroded landforms that are widely distributed in the north‐eastern part in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP), China. These blowouts are thought to form in response to climate change and/or human activity but little is known about their morphodynamics. Using field surveys, remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) spatial analysis, the distribution and morphology of blowouts are analysed and their initiation considered. Results show the QTP mega‐blowouts are some of the largest in the world. The orientations of the trough shaped blowouts are parallel with the prevailing wind, but the saucer and bowl‐shaped blowouts are influenced by bi‐directional transport. Whilst regional patterns of blowout shape and size were observed to reflect the extent of aeolian sediments and wind regimes, the relationship between the different morphological parameters showed consistency. During initial stages of development, the length to width ratios of blowouts increase rapidly with area but after they reach a mega size this relationship stabilizes as blowouts widen. Initial luminescence dating shows that blowouts appear to have initiated ~100 to 500 years ago, coinciding with the Little Ice Age (LIA) climate event when northwest winds are known to have intensified. Further work is required to confirm this initiation period and establish the significance of mega blowouts for landscape degradation and human activities.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP); Mega‐blowouts; Topography; Evolution; Age |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Department of Geography (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 22 Jan 2019 11:44 |
Last Modified: | 16 Nov 2021 09:47 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1002/esp.4507 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:141244 |