T240 Geology in Motion: Presenting and Promoting Geomorphic and Geologic Research Using Video and Augmented Reality (Posters)

Wednesday, 12 October 2022
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Exhibit Hall F

THE SEARCH FOR THE WORLD’S FASTEST SAND DUNE: GOOGLE EARTH HISTORICAL IMAGERY AS AN ACCESSIBLE TOOL FOR PUBLIC GEOMORPHOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT

Paper number: T240-6
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Authors

Abstract

Sand dune migration is an important risk for many communities, and migration may become more of an issue with desertification from anthropogenic climate change. However, the public lacks the key tools needed to assess individual sand dune migration risks. In addition, there is a lack of a global study of dune movement is necessary to better understand what constrains migration. We wanted to demonstrate that Google Earth historical imagery provides sound scientific understanding of sand dune migration in an accessible manner open to all regardless of scientific or socio-economic background. We measured sand dune velocities from several locations using Google Earth historical satellite images. We used a grid measurement technique to assess dune migration rates. The results we obtained in this study match published dune rates for different geographical areas and environments. Therefore, the use of Google Earth imagery provides quantitatively similar results to less publicly accessible remote sensing methods. We determined that small barchan dunes in the Sanlongsha Dune Field in the Kumtagh Sand Sea of northwest China are likely the world’s fastest dunes. Fast dune systems come from disparate geographic locations, but all are in generally drier areas with relatively strong winds. We conclude that, in the face of increased desertification, there may be a future global increase in the rate of dune migration. We highlight how anyone can use Google Earth to do similar investigations of local sand dune migration and obtain meaningful results that closely match previously published work. Therefore, Google Earth can be a powerful tool in making the public more aware of risks associated with geomorphologic processes.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 54, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2022AM-377153

© Copyright 2022 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.