40 Aeolian Systems in Time and Space

This session explores research focused on all aspects of aeolian processes and landforms, including dunes, dust, and loess in modern and ancient aeolian systems on Earth and other planets.

Sunday, 19 October 2025
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
HBGCC, 212AB

From Wind to Record: Decoding Environmental Forcings in Desert Sediment States

Paper number: 40-5
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 2:30 PM – 2:50 PM

Authors

Abstract

Understanding how external environmental forcings influence dune field behavior over geological timescales requires systematic approaches to quantify sediment system dynamics. Here we demonstrate an analytical framework applied to the Wahiba Dune Field of Oman, which preserves evidence of aeolian activity spanning at least 140,000 years. Our approach integrates three key analytical components: compilation of regional paleoenvironmental proxy records and climate simulations spanning multiple temporal scales; quantitative assessment of how environmental changes influence critical dune field parameters including terrestrial sediment flux, vegetation cover, marine productivity, sea-level controlled sediment exposure, and atmospheric circulation patterns; and systematic evaluation of parameter interactions controlling the three-component sediment state: supply, availability, and wind transport capacity. The resulting sediment state model successfully captures high-frequency environmental variability driven by orbital-scale (Milankovitch) and sub-orbital climate cycles. While our findings broadly align with existing interpretations of regional aeolian evolution, we identify significant discrepancies in the proposed timing and dominance patterns of competing regional wind systems. These wind system transitions appear to correlate with major episodes of dune field reorganization, potentially explaining the complex morphology and orientation patterns observed in the field's dominant linear megadunes. This quantitative sediment state modeling approach offers new insights into the sensitivity of aeolian systems to external forcings and provides a robust framework for interpreting complex stratigraphic records in similar desert environments worldwide.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-412432

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