Fluvial-aeolian sedimentary facies, Sossusvlei, Namib Desert
Feder A, Zimmermann R, Stollhofen H, Caracciolo L, Garzanti E, Andreani L (2018)
Publication Language: English
Publication Type: Journal article, Online publication
Publication year: 2018
Journal
Book Volume: 14
Pages Range: 630–643
Journal Issue: 2
DOI: 10.1080/17445647.2018.1526719
Open Access Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17445647.2018.1526719
Abstract
Aeolian sedimentary processes and corresponding facies shape the Earth’s surface and control
the evolution of dune fields. The Namib Sand Sea with its Sossusvlei playa-lake is a perfect
example to investigate the spatial distribution of fluvially influenced aeolian deposits.
Remote sensing in combination with ground observations allowed for mapping of the facies
distribution pattern of associated fluvial and aeolian sediments. Laboratory spectral signature
measurements were used to further improve the separation between six groups of facies:
modern aeolian sand, deflation surface, mud pool/mud drapes, heavy mineral lag, reworked
fluvial–aeolian sediments, and fossil dune remnant. The best results were achieved through a
supervised classification algorithm trained by field observations, a combination of Principal
Component Analysis, band ratios, texture and geomorphologic indices. Consequently, a map
outlining the facies distribution pattern of the Sossusvlei area at a scale of 1:10,000 was
created. We propose this as a possible workflow to efficiently map and monitor desert
environments and to investigate the interplay of aeolian and fluvial sediments.
Authors with CRIS profile
Amelie Feder
Lehrstuhl für Geologie (Exogene Dynamik)
Harald Stollhofen
Lehrstuhl für Geologie (Exogene Dynamik)
Luca Caracciolo
Lehrstuhl für Geologie (Exogene Dynamik)
Involved external institutions
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)
Germany (DE)
University of Milano-Bicocca / Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, UNIMIB
Italy (IT)
Germany (DE)
University of Milano-Bicocca / Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, UNIMIB
Italy (IT)
How to cite
APA:
Feder, A., Zimmermann, R., Stollhofen, H., Caracciolo, L., Garzanti, E., & Andreani, L. (2018). Fluvial-aeolian sedimentary facies, Sossusvlei, Namib Desert. Journal of Maps, 14(2), 630–643. https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2018.1526719
MLA:
Feder, Amelie, et al. "Fluvial-aeolian sedimentary facies, Sossusvlei, Namib Desert." Journal of Maps 14.2 (2018): 630–643.
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