Abstract
Feathered sand ridges in the northeastern Kumtagh Desert in China cover an area of 4016 km2 and consist of crescent sand ridges and interridge tongue-shaped dunes. Differences in grain size, mineral composition and albedo between crescent sand ridges and tongue-shaped dunes, and between windward and leeward slopes of tongue-shaped dunes, result in their feathery appearance in aerial and satellite imagery. Measurements of the sand drift potential in the region show that the sand-moving wind for feathered sand ridges can be divided into three sectors; i.e. north-northeasterly, easterly and east-northeasterly sectors roughly corresponding to the southeast, northwest and southwest slip faces. Our findings suggests that the crescent sand ridges resulting from the connection of barchan dunes along the prevailing wind direction are longitudinal dune ridges rather than transverse ones. Tongue-shaped dunes and quasi-dune shapes have obvious distinctions and are new transverse dune types. According to McKee’s dune shape classification, the feathered sand ridges are not a deformation dune type but a complex one. According to Wu’s dune morphological and genetic classification, they are not dune ridges or compound dune ridges that form under the action of unidirectional winds or two winds intersecting at an acute angle, but are complex dune ridges that form under the action of three winds intersecting at an acute angle.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Qu J J, Wei W T, Wang X Q. Desert and desertification in arid desert zone (in Chinese). In: Wang T, ed. Desert and Desertification in China. Shijiazhuang: Hebei Science and Technology Press, 2003. 640–698
Wu Z. Distribution and topography of different sand dunes (in Chinese). In: Wu Z, ed. Sandy Deserts and Its Control in China. Beijing: Science Press, 2009. 120–133
Zhu Z D, Wu Z. Introduction to Deserts in China (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1974. 20–23
Xia X C, Fan Z L. The elementary characteristics of Kumtagh Desert (in Chinese). In: Xia X C, ed. The Sciences Investigation and Study on Lop Nor. Beijing: Science Press, 1987. 78–88
Qu J J, Zheng B X, Yu Q H, et al. Relation between Yardan landform in Aqike Valley to the east of Lop Nor and the formation of Kumtagh Desert. J Desert Res, 2004, 24: 294–300
Qu J J. Map of Kumtagh Desert (1:500000) (in Chinese). Beijing: China Map Press, 2004
Qu J J. Map of Kumtagh Desert (Introduction) (in Chinese). Beijing: China Map Press, 2004
Qu J J, Zuo G C, Zhang K C, et al. Relationship between the formation and evolution of Kumtagh Desert and the regional neotectonic movement. Arid Land Geogr, 2005, 28: 424–428
Wang J H, Liao K T, Er Y H, et al. Initial outcome of integrated study in Kumtagh Desert. Gansu Sci Technol, 2005, 21: 6–8
Qu J J, Liao K T, Zu R P, et al. Study on the formation mechanism of feather-shaped sand ridge in Kumtagh Desert. J Desert Res, 2007, 27: 349–355
Dong Z B, Qu J J. Geomorphologic Map of Kumtagh Desert (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 2008
Dong Z B, Qu J J. Geomorphologic Map of Kumtagh Desert (Introduction) (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 2008. 42–43
Dong Z B, Qu J J, Lu Q, et al. A discussion on feathery aeolian geomorphology in the Kumtagh Desert. J Desert Res, 2008, 28: 1005–1010
Dong Z B, Qu J J, Wang X M, et al. Pseudo-feathery dunes in the Kumtagh Desert. Geomorphology, 2008, 100: 328–334
Liao K T, Liu H J. Morphologic parameters and wind-blown sand activity of feathered sand ridges (in Chinese). In: Wang J H, ed. Comprehensive Scientific Investigation of Kumtagh Desert. Lanzhou: Gansu Science and Technology Press, 2008. 137–144
Dong Z B. The identification of feathery dunes. Sci Technol Guide, 2009, 27: 69–75
Breed C S, Grow T. Morphology and distribution of dunes in sand seas observed by remote sensing. In: McKee E D, ed. A Study of Global Sand Seas. Honolulu, Hawaii: University Press of Pacific, 2004. 253–302
Tosar H, Moller J T. The role of vegetation in the formation of linear sand dunes. In: Nickling W G, ed. Aeolian Geomorphology. Boston: Allen & Unwin, 1986. 75–95
McKee E D. Introduction to a study of global sand seas. In: McKee E D, ed. A Study of Global Sand Seas. Honolulu, Hawaii: University Press of Pacific, 2004. 1–18
Liu H J, Wang J H, Liao K T. Morphologic parameters of “featherlike longitudinal ridge” of Kumtagh Desert. Arid Land Geogr, 2006, 29: 314–320
Er Y H, Su Z Z, Wang J H, et al. Outcome and scientific significance of integrated investigation in Kumtagh Desert. J Desert Res, 2006, 26: 693–697
Hasi E D, Dong G R, Wang G Y. Morphodynamic study of reticulate dunes at southeastern fringe of the Tengger Desert. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 1999, 29: 466–471
Hasi E D, Wang G Y, Dong G R. Lee-face airflow, depositional types and its significance. Acta Sediment Sin, 2001, 19: 96–100
Cooke R U, Warren A. Geomorphology in Desert. London: Batsford B T Ltd., 1973. 374
Fork R L, Ward W C. Brazosriverbar: A studying the significance of grain-size parameters. J Sediment Petrol, 1957, 27: 3–26
Liu T S. Loess and Environment (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1985. 191–208
Zhang Y H, Li B S, Jin H L, et al. Grain-size cycles in Salawusu River Valley since 150 ka BP. Acta Geol Sin, 2001, 56: 332–344
Ren M D. Sedimentary structures (in Chinese). In: Ren M D, Wang N L, eds. Introduction of Modern Sedimentary Environment. Beijing: Science Press, 1981. 8–36
Fryberger S G. Dune form and wind regime. US Geological Survey Professional Paper, 1979, 1052: 137–169
Li Z Z. Comprehensive review on advances in study of linear dune. Arid Land Geogr, 1995, 18: 87–93
Wu Z, et al. Geomorphology of Wind-drift Sands and Their Controlled Engineering (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 2003. 120–125
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Qu, J., Liao, K., Dong, G. et al. Feathered sand ridges in the Kumtagh Desert and their position in the classification system. Sci. China Earth Sci. 54, 1215–1225 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-011-4209-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-011-4209-y