Al-Masrahy, MA and Mountney, NP (2013) Remote sensing of spatial variability in aeolian dune and interdune morphology in the Rub' Al-Khali, Saudi Arabia. Aeolian Research, 11. 155 - 170 (16). ISSN 1875-9637
Abstract
The Rub' Al-Khali aeolian sand sea of south eastern Saudi Arabia - also known as the Empty Quarter - covers an area of 660,000 km and is one of the largest sandy deserts in the world. The region is covered by the latest generation of public-release satellite imagery, which reveal spatially diverse dune patterns characterized by a varied range of dune types, the morphology, scale and orientation of which change systematically from central to marginal dune-field areas where non-aeolian sub-environments become dominant within the overall desert setting. Analysis of geomorphic relationships between dune and interdune sub-environments within 4 regions of the Rub' Al-Khali reveals predictable spatial changes in dune and interdune morphology, scale and orientation from the centre to the outer margins of dune fields. A quantitative approach is used to characterize the complexity present where large, morphologically complex and compound bedforms gradually give way to smaller and simpler bedform types at dune-field margins. Parameters describing bedform height, spacing, parent morphological type, bedform orientation, lee-slope expression, and wavelength and amplitude of along-crest sinuosity are recorded in a relational database, along with parameters describing interdune size (long- and short-axis dimensions), orientation, and style of connectivity. The spatial rate of change of morphology of aeolian sub-environments is described through a series of empirical relationships. Spatial changes in dune and interdune morphology have enabled the development of a model with which to propose an improved understanding of the sediment system state of the modern Rub' Al-Khali desert sedimentary system, whereby the generation of an aeolian sediment supply, its availability for aeolian transport and the sand transporting capacity of the wind are each reduced in dune-field margin areas.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2014, Elsevier. This is an author produced version of a paper accepted for publication in Aeolian Research. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Aeolian Research. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Al-Masrahy, MA and Mountney, NP (2013) Remote sensing of spatial variability in aeolian dune and interdune morphology in the Rub' Al-Khali, Saudi Arabia. Aeolian Research, 11. 155 - 170 (16). |
Keywords: | Aeolian dune; Interdune; Desert; Sand sea; Dune field |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 18 Sep 2014 14:54 |
Last Modified: | 17 Jan 2018 15:12 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aeolia.2013.06.004 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.aeolia.2013.06.004 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:80266 |