Alaskan Loess and Eolian Sand and their Paleoclimatic Significance and Importance to Soils
Loess (windblown silt) and eolian sand are some of the most important surficial deposits in Alaska. These deposits are very useful in studies of past climates, particularly past wind directions. Past vegetation can be inferred from buried soils in loess deposits.Abstract
Loess and eolian sand are some of the most important surficial deposits in Alaska These deposits record past periods of rapid dust or sand deposition under cold, dry, windy conditions. If sources of loess and sand can be determined, they also record past wind directions. Buried soils found within eolian deposits record past periods of landscape stability. Morphology and chemical properties of buried soils can yield information about past vegetation. Concern about future climate change requires testing of climate models that make forecasts about the future. At present, there are few methods for testing such models. However, because the same climate models can be used to simulate climates of the past, one method that can be used is reconstruction of past environments using eolian records. The USGS is one of the few agencies with the expertise to conduct such studies on regional or continental scales. In addition, there is increasing evidence that eolian inputs to soils are more important than previously thought, and may be significant nutrient sources for tundra and boreal forest vegetation.
Products
| Title | Type |
|---|---|
| Dan Muhs Professional Page – Bibliography of published papers | Publication |
| Eolian History of North America | Project Website |
Contacts
Muhs, Daniel R., 303-236-7919Status: completed
Start Year: 2000
End Year: 2012
USGS Mission Area and Program
Land Resources → Climate Research and DevelopmentKeywords
Land Surface > Geomorphology > Eolian Landforms/ProcessesPaleoclimate
Paleoclimate > Land Records > Loess
Paleoclimate > Land Records > Paleosols