Sand Sea History of the Taklimakan for the Past 30,000 Years

A series of absolute dates for surface sediments in the Taklimakan Desert, reveals the evolution of aeolian processes over the past 30,000 years. Sandy materials from flood plains and palaeo-lacustrine plains through wind erosion are the main sources of the desert. Cold air intrusions from the northeast of the Tarim Basin are the main form of aeolian motivation. During the past 30,000 years, an arid climate has dominated the desert. However, sand sources and wind conditions affected by ice, snow cover, glacial meltwater and lower evaporation as well as more stable air conditions during very cold periods may have led to temporary decreases in aeolian actions. In contrast with other Chinese deserts, the evolution of the Taklimakan Desert has seen alternating periods of hot, arid, strong aeolian action and cold, relatively humid, weak aeolian action in response to global climate changes. It is predicted that desertification will continue due to the effects of global warming.