Geomorphology of Desert Dunes

An authoritative review of the characteristics and dynamics of desert dunes and their sediments ideal for graduate students and researchers.

Nicholas Lancaster (Author)

9781108420884, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 23 March 2023

350 pages
25 x 17.5 x 2.2 cm, 0.82 kg

'This fully updated new edition provides a masterly synthesis of the burgeoning research into desert dunes worldwide. Whether it is current dune processes, the evolution of dune systems in the past or extra-terrestrial aeolian features, this book has it all. It is an excellent testimony to Nick Lancaster's five decades of desert dune analysis, and will be the definitive 'go-to' text for a long time.' David Thomas, University of Oxford

Sand dunes are a globally important depositional landform and sedimentary system. Their origins and dynamics are important in understanding how deserts have evolved in response to climate change and changes in sand supply and mobility, and how they will continue to evolve in the future. This book provides a state-of-the-art review of the characteristics of desert dunes and their sediments, and explores their dynamics on timescales from days to millennia as they respond to changes in wind speed and direction, precipitation and sand supply. This extensively revised edition reflects the advances in our understanding of desert dunes, their dynamics and history; and covers recent developments including the luminescence dating revolution, ground penetrating radar and advances in numerical modeling. Also covering dunes on Mars and Titan, this authoritative reference is a must-have for researchers and graduate students working on desert dunes and aeolian geomorphology.

Part I. Introduction and Fundamental Concepts: 1. Desert Dune Systems
Part II. Dune Morphology and Sediments
2. Dune Morphology
3. Dune Sediments
Part III. Dune Processes and Dynamics
4: Sand Transport By Wind
5. Airflow and Sand Transport on Dunes
6. Dune Dynamics
Part IV. Boundary Conditions for Dune Formation and Development: 7. Controls of Dune Morphology
8. Controls on Dune Orientation
9. Controls of Dune Size and Spacing
10. Response of Dune Systems to Changing Boundary Conditions
Part V. Sand Seas and Dunefields
11. Characteristics and Distribution of Sand Seas and Dunefields
12. Dune Patterns in Sand Seas
13. Formation of Sand Seas and Dune Fields
Part VI. Dune Systems in Time and Space
14. Ancient Dune Systems – The Rock Record
15. Quaternary Paleo Dune Systems
16. Planetary Dune Systems
Part VI. Conclusions
17. Review and Prospects
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Geological surface processes [geomorphology RBGD], Soil science, sedimentology [RBGB], Solar system: the Sun & planets [PGS]