Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Helga's Dune: 40 years of dune dynamics in the Namib Desert

Besler, H., Lancaster, N., Bristow, C., Henschel, J., Livingstone, I., Seely, M. and White, K. (2013) Helga's Dune: 40 years of dune dynamics in the Namib Desert. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography. 95(4), pp. 361-368. 0435-3676.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: The dynamics of a small linear dune on the northern margin of the Namib Sand Sea have been monitored using erosion pins placed at the dune tip since 1969. GPS measurements of these pins enabled estimation of the rates of advance and lateral migration of the dune. The average rate of advance of the dune tip over the period 1969–2012 was 1.99 m yr–1 towards 015°. Rates of advance and lateral movement varied over the period of monitoring, with a decrease in rates of advance by a factor of 50%, but an increase in the rate of lateral movement. Changes in dune behavior appear to be related to changes in wind regime and the vegetation cover of the interdune area, as a result of increased rainfall in recent years. This study demonstrates the dynamic nature of the tip of this dune and its sensitivity to changes in winds and sand supply.
Uncontrolled Keywords: linear sand dune, Namib Desert, Gobabeb, climate variability, aeolian processes, dune dynamics
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography > GB400 Geomorphology. Landforms. Terrain > GB440.S6 Geomorphology of South Africa
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography > GB400 Geomorphology. Landforms. Terrain > GB561 Other natural landforms: Floodplains, caves, deserts, dunes > GB611 Deserts
Creators: Besler, Helga, Lancaster, Nicholas, Bristow, Charles, Henschel, Joh, Livingstone, Ian, Seely, Mary and White, Kevin
Publisher: Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: Faculties > Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology > Environmental Science
Date: December 2013
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 361-368
Journal or Publication Title: Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography
Volume: 95
Number: 4
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/geoa.12013
ISSN: 0435-3676
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/5593

Actions (login required)

Edit Item Edit Item