Intensity of geodynamic processes in the Lithuanian part of the Curonian Spit
The paper considers conditions and intensity of aeolian and dune slope transformation processes occurring in the wind-blown sand strips of the dunes of the Curonian Spit. An assessment of the intensity of aeolian processes was made based on the analysis of climatic factors and in situ observatio...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2017-06-01
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| Series: | Earth System Dynamics |
| Online Access: | https://www.earth-syst-dynam.net/8/419/2017/esd-8-419-2017.pdf |
| Summary: | The paper considers conditions and intensity of aeolian and dune
slope transformation processes occurring in the wind-blown sand strips of the
dunes of the Curonian Spit. An assessment of the intensity of aeolian
processes was made based on the analysis of climatic factors and in situ
observations. Transformations in aeolian relief forms were investigated based
on the comparison of geodetic measurements and measurements of aerial
photographs. Changes in micro-terraces of dune slopes were investigated
through comparison of the results of repeated levelling and measurements of
aerial photographs. The periods of weak, medium, and strong winds were
distinguished, and sand moisture fluctuations affecting the beginning of
aeolian processes were investigated. The wind-blown sand movements were found
to start when sand moisture decreased by 2 % in the surface sand layer
and by up to 5 % at a depth of 10 cm. In 2004–2016, the wind-blown sand
movements affected the size of reference deflation relief forms: scarp length
by 8 %, scarp width by 35 %, pothole length by 80 %, pothole
width by 80 %, roll length by 17 %, roll width by 18 %, hollow
length by 17 %, and hollow width by 39 %. The elementary relief forms
in the leeward eastern slopes of the dunes experienced the strongest
transformations. During a period of 5 months, the height of micro-terraces
of the eastern slope of the Parnidis Dune changed from 0.05 to 0.64 cm. The
change was related to fluctuations in precipitation intensity: in
July–August 2016 the amount of precipitation increased 1.6-fold compared
with the multiannual average, thus causing the change in the position of
terrace ledges by 21 %. |
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| ISSN: | 2190-4979 2190-4987 |