Geomorphology, Sedimentary Structures, and Genesis of Dome Dunes in Western Canada

Dome dunes in four stabilized, inland dune fields in western Canada are predominantly composed of horizontal to low-angle cross-strata, indicating that slip face development was rare. Dip angles of lee side deposits decrease upward in the dome dunes. The spread of dip directions increases with elevation in the dunes, spanning 360° for topset deposits. Sedimentary structures indicative of moisture (adhesion laminae) and vegetation (scour surfaces) occur in the dunes and denivation features are also present. Sediment adhesion is responsible for the maintenance of the dome morphology. Sediment sorting within the dome dunes is poorer than in other local dune types in the vicinity, suggesting that less reworking/ineffective selective transport occurred and that the dome dunes are more efficient in retaining sediment. The rarity of slip face and grainfall deposits and the abundance of low angle deposits indicate that preferential accumulation of sediment at the top of the lee side did not occur. Development of domal morphology is a consequence of the inhibition of slip face development. In inland, relatively moist boreal environments, the primary factor limiting or precluding sediment accumulation at the crest of the dunes is a low rate of sedimentation.

[1]  J. Dijkmans.  Niveo-aeolian sedimentation and resulting sedimentary structures; søndre strømfjord area, Western Greenland , 2006 .

[2]  S. Fryberger.  Unusual sedimentary structures in the Oregon coastal dunes , 1991 .

[3]  L. Halsey,et al.  Sedimentology and development of parabolic dunes, Grande Prairie dune field, Alberta , 1990 .

[4]  P. Lea.  Pleistocene Periglacial Eolian Deposits in Southwestern Alaska: Sedimentary Facies and Depositional Processes , 1990 .

[5]  C. Neuman.  Kinetic energy transfer through impact and its role in entrainment by wind of particles from frozen surfaces , 1989 .

[6]  H. Mücher,et al.  Niveo‐aeolian sedimentation of loess and sand: An experimental and micromorphological approach , 1989 .

[7]  William G. Nickling,et al.  A THEORETICAL AND WIND TUNNEL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF CAPILLARY WATER ON THE ENTRAINMENT OF SEDIMENT BY WIND , 1989 .

[8]  Jeffrey A. Lee.  A field experiment on the role of small scale wind gustiness in aeolian sand transport , 1987 .

[9]  G. Kocurek,et al.  Surface processes, deposits, and development of star dunes: Dumont dune field, California , 1987 .

[10]  C. Ballantyne,et al.  Niveo-aeolian sand deposits on An Teallach, Wester Ross, Scotland , 1987, Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Earth Sciences.

[11]  J. Schwan.  The origin of horizontal alternating bedding in Weichselian aeolian sands in northwestern Europe , 1986 .

[12]  W. Nickling.  The stabilizing role of bonding agents on the entrainment of sediment by wind , 1984 .

[13]  G.H.J. Ruegg.  Periglacial Eolian Evenly Laminated Sandy Deposits in the Late Pleistocene of Nw Europe, A Facies Unrecorded in Modern Sedimentological Handbooks , 1983 .

[14]  E. D. Mckee.  Eolian Sand Bodies of the World , 1983 .

[15]  M. Brookfield,et al.  Eolian sediments and processes , 1983 .

[16]  C. J. Schenk,et al.  Wind sedimentation tunnel experiments on the origins of aeolian strata , 1981 .

[17]  W. Nickling,et al.  The effects of soluble salts on the threshold shear velocity of fine sand , 1981 .

[18]  R. E. Hunter.  Quasi-Planar Adhesion Stratification--An Eolian Structure Formed in Wet Sand , 1980 .

[19]  Thomas S. Ahlbrandt,et al.  Origin, sedimentary features, and significance of low-angle eolian "sand sheet" deposits, Great Sand Dunes National Monument and vicinity, Colorado , 1979 .

[20]  Edwin Dinwiddie McKee,et al.  A study of global sand seas , 1979 .

[21]  R. E. Hunter.  Basic types of stratification in small eolian dunes , 1977 .

[22]  T. Ahlbrandt.  COMPARISON OF TEXTURES AND STRUCTURES TO DISTINGUISH EOLIAN ENVIRONMENTS, KILLPECKER DUNE FIELD, WYOMING , 1975 .

[23]  R. E. Hunter.  Pseudo-Crosslamination Formed by Climbing Adhesion Ripples , 1973 .

[24]  J. J. Bigarella,et al.  Deformational Structures in Brazilian Coastal Dunes , 1972 .

[25]  J. J. Bigarella.  Eolian Environments their Characteristics Recognition and Importance , 1972 .

[26]  W. K. Hamblin,et al.  Recognition of ancient sedimentary environments , 1972 .

[27]  R. D. Becker,et al.  Coastal dune structures from Paraná (Brazil) , 1969 .

[28]  Edwin D. McKee,et al.  STRUCTURES OF DUNES AT WHITE SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT, NEW MEXICO (AND A COMPARISON WITH STRUCTURES OF DUNES FROM OTHER SELECTED AREAS)1 , 1966 .

[29]  E. P. Henderson.  Surficial geology of Sturgeon Lake map-area, Alberta , 1959 .

[30]  R. Folk,et al.  Brazos River bar [Texas]; a study in the significance of grain size parameters , 1957 .

[31]  J. Balfour.  Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 1870, Nature.