Title: Dune Morphology and Chronology in Central and Western Nebraska
Abstract:The stabilized dunes of central and western Nebraska cover approximately 22,000 square miles and represent the largest dune area in North America. The dunes are of three different types, formed at thr...The stabilized dunes of central and western Nebraska cover approximately 22,000 square miles and represent the largest dune area in North America. The dunes are of three different types, formed at three different times. The oldest dunes, classed as the first series, are broad, massive forms of great size, generally elongate, but with many variations in ground plan. They are interpreted as having originated as compound transverse dunes and related types under desert conditions when wind action was particularly strong, persistent, and widespread, probably during early Wisconsin time. When climatic conditions changed, they were stabilized by vegetation, and remained so long enough for soil formation, modification of topographic form by non-eolian processes, and initiation of a new consequent drainage system. The dunes of intermediate age, classed as the second series, are narrow, more or less symmetrical sub-parallel linear ridges of intermediate length, superimposed on the older dune topography, with varying degrees of divergence in trend from the latter. They are interpreted to have developed as non-migratory upsiloidal forms transitional into "longitudinal" types, in the presence of some vegetation, during an episode of moderately intense wind action under semiarid conditions, probably in late Wisconsin time. Wind direction was similar to that of today but different from that indicated by the dunes of the first series. The youngest dunes, referred to the third series, are blowouts of various sizes, shapes, and degree of freshness, omnipresent on all older dunes. They are believed to have been formed mainly during the Hypsithermal interval.Read More
Publication Year: 1965
Publication Date: 1965-07-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 94
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