Title:

Solutional and wind erosion forms on limestone in the central Namib Desert

Publication Year:
1982
Abstract:

This paper describes some erosional forms on pre-Cambrian marbles and limestones in the Central Namib. Because of the sparse precipitation and the nature of the rocks, granular disintegration into coarse "marble" sand is the most abundant weathering form. Two other erosion forms occur and these are described in detail. The first form is that of the rillenkarren which occur on the W facing sides of the limestone blocks and seem to be formed by precipitation from advective fog blown inland from the S. Atlantic. The morphometry of these rillenkarren is similar to rillenkarren morphometry described from other parts of the world and formed in very different climatic conditions. The second erosion form discussed is wind eroded sub-horizontal flutes; these are formed by winds of high velocity which blow from the NE or ENE. Both these erosion forms appear to be forming today and relate to the present atmospheric and wind conditions. Keywords: Namibia, Namib Desert, Kuiseb River, geomorphology, weathering, wind erosion, soil crust, crust formation, fluvial deposits, palaeoclimate, Rillenkarren.

Publication Title:

Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie

Volume:
26
Issue:
2
Pages:
197-207
Item Type:
Journal Article
Language:
en

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