An introduction to the INQUA Dunes Atlas Chronologic Database

LANCASTER, N.; BRISTOW, C.; BUBENZER, O.; BURROUGH, S.; DULLER, G.; HALFEN, A.; HESSE, P.; ROSKIN, ; SINGHVI, A.; THOMAS, D.; TRIPALDI, A.; YANG, X.; WOLFE, S.; ZÁRATE, M.

Viena

Congreso; European Geosciences Union General Assembly; 2015

European Geosciences Union

The INQUADunes Atlas project has developed a global digital database of chronologicinformation for periods of desert sand dune accumulation and stabilization. Thedatabase currently contains 3278 luminescence and 535 radiocarbon records ofdirectly dated periods of aeolian sand deposition from 1200 inland dunelocations throughout the world, mostly in low- and mid-latitudes. Co-authors ofthis abstract have compiled data for their geographic region of expertise.Additional data are being added from publications, reports, and theses and dissertationsas they become available. In addition to age data, the database includesinformation on the site location (including coordinates), dune type, andstratigraphic context, pertinent analytical information (e.g. luminescenceprocedures), and literature citations to the original data source (with doi).The database has so far enabled: (1) analysis of patterns of dated dunedeposits at multiple temporal and spatial scales; (2) correlation of thesepatterns with other paleoclimatic proxies; and (3) assessment of thepaleoclimatic and paleohydrologic implications of periods of aeoliandeposition. The database has highlighted several issues with the availableluminescence data set, especially the uneven spatial coverage of dated dunedeposits and the heterogenous nature of the dune sedimentary record in many areas.It is clear that resolution of these issues to provide a better understandingof dune and dunefield responses to Quaternary climate change is not just amatter of additional dates. A systematic dating program that reflects fundamentalpatterns of dunefield sensitivity to climatic and hydrologic changes andrelates dated deposits to patterns of dune morphology and sedimentology isneeded as a research priority.