Geology, Vol. 1 [of 3] : $b Geologic processes and their resultsSalisbury, Rollin D.
Science
Geology, Vol. 1 [of 3] : $b Geologic processes and their results
Salisbury, Rollin D.
Geology
Fig. 2 (Pl. II) shows dune topography along the Arkansas River in
Kansas (near Larned); Fig. 4, dune topography in Nebraska (Lat.
42°, Long. 103°), not in immediate association with a valley or
shore; and Fig. 3 shows irregular ridge-like dunes at the head of
Lake Michigan. In Fig. 2 the contour interval is 20 feet. All the
small hillocks southeast of the river are dunes. Some of them are
represented by one contour and some by two. The altitude of the
region is considerable, the heavy contour representing an elevation
of 2100 feet; but the dunes themselves are rarely more than 20 feet
above their surroundings. In Fig. 4, where the contour interval is
also 20 feet, there are, besides the numerous hillocks, several
depressions (basins). These are represented by hachures inside the
contour lines. In some cases there are intermittent lakes (blue) in
the depressions. The heavy contour at Spring Lakes in this figure
is the contour of 4300 feet. There are two depression contours
(4280 and 4260) below it. The bottom of the depression is therefore
lower than 4260, but not so low as 4240. In Fig. 3 the contour
interval is 10 feet, and the dune ridges north of Miller are more
than 50 feet high. The dune ridges here have helped to determine
the position of this branch of the Calumet River, and have blocked
its former outlet. The present drainage is to the westward.
=Migration of dunes.=—By the continual transfer of sand from its
windward to its leeward side, a dune may be moved from one place to
another, though continuing to be made up, in large part, of the same
sand. In their migration dunes sometimes invade fertile lands, causing
so great loss that means are devised for stopping them. The simplest
method (employed in France and Holland) is to help vegetation to get
a foothold in the sand. The effect of the vegetation is to pin the
sand down. As a dune ridge along a coast travels inland, another may be
formed behind it. Successions of dune ridges are thus sometimes formed.
[Illustration: +Fig.+ 16.—Diagram illustrating the migration of dunes
on the Kurische Nehrung. (Credner.)]
A remarkable instance of the migration of a sand dune is recorded
on the Kurische Nehrung on the north coast of Germany. The Nehrung
consists of a long narrow neck of land composed of sand, lying
off the main coast. At the beginning of this century there was a
notable dune ridge on one side. Since that time it has migrated a
considerable distance, and in its migration it has been brought into
the relationships illustrated in the accompanying diagrams (Fig. 16).
In 1800 the dune ridge was on one side of a church, which was then in
use. In 1839 the ridge had been so far shifted to the leeward as to
completely bury the church, and in 1869, its migration had progressed
so far as to again discover the building.[16]
[Illustration: +Fig.+ 17.—Migration of dunes into a timbered region.
Dune Park, Ind. Head of Lake Michigan. (Meyers.)]
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