Evidence of active dune sand on the Great Plains in the 19th century from accounts of early explorers
January 1, 1995
Dune fields are found in several areas of the Great Plains, and though mostly stabilised today, the accounts of early explorers show that they were more mobile in the last century. Using an index of dune mobility and tree ring data, it is found that these periods of mobility were related to temperature-induced drought, the high temperatures increasing evapotranspiration. Explorers also record that rivers upwind of these dune fields had shallow braided channels in the 19th century, and these would have supplied further aeolian sand. It is concluded that these dunes are extremely susceptible to climate change and that it may not need global warming to increase their mobility again. -K.Clayton
Citation Information
Publication Year | 1995 |
---|---|
Title | Evidence of active dune sand on the Great Plains in the 19th century from accounts of early explorers |
DOI | 10.1006/qres.1995.1020 |
Authors | D.R. Muhs, V.T. Holliday |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Quaternary Research |
Index ID | 70018814 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |