Fluvial Aeolian Sedimentary Facies Sossusvlei Namib Desert

Aeolian sedimentary processes and corresponding facies shape the Earth’s surface and control the evolution of dune fields. The Namib Sand Sea with its Sossusvlei playa-lake is a perfect example to investigate the spatial distribution of fluvially influenced aeolian deposits. Remote sensing in combination with ground observations allowed for mapping of the facies distribution pattern of associated fluvial and aeolian sediments. Laboratory spectral signature measurements were used to further improve the separation between six groups of facies: modern aeolian sand, deflation surface, mud pool/mud drapes, heavy mineral lag, reworked fluvial–aeolian sediments, and fossil dune remnant. The best results were achieved through a supervised classification algorithm trained by field observations, a combination of Principal Component Analysis, band ratios, texture and geomorphologic indices. Consequently, a map outlining the facies distribution pattern of the Sossusvlei area at a scale of 1:10,000 was created. We propose this as a possible workflow to efficiently map and monitor desert environments and to investigate the interplay of aeolian and fluvial sediments.

Authors: Amelie Federa, Robert Zimmermann, Harald Stollhofen, Luca Caracciolo, Eduardo Garzanti and Louis Andreani

Spectral Evolution is a leading manufacturer of field-portable UV-Vis-NIR remote sensing spectroradiometers and spectrometers for applications including geological remote sensing, ground-truthing, spectral remote sensing, environmental and climate research, crop and soil research, vegetative studies, forestry and canopy studies, radiometric calibration transfer, upwelling and downwelling measurement and more. Our UV-Vis-NIR spectrometers and spectroradiometers provide the best combination of high resolution and high sensitivity resulting in the most precise field portable instruments available on the market.

NaturaSpec UltraSpectral Evolution UV-Vis-NIR spectroradiometers provide:

  • Fast, full-spectrum UV-Vis-NIR measurements – 350-2500 nm with just one scan
  • Superior reliability in the field with 100% diode array optics with no moving parts
  • Wireless Bluetooth® Connection
  • Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries for field use
  • Lightweight and rugged
  • Rugged handheld tablet for field use running DARWin™ LT on Windows 10 with digital camera, and GPS
  • Field switchable optics for varying target sizes and measurement modes

All Spectral Evolution UV-Vis-NIR spectroradiometers include our exclusive DARWin™ SP Data Acquisition and Analysis software for one-touch, full range spectroscopic analysis of samples. DARWin™ SP automatically saves data as ASCII files for use with 3rd party software without post-processing.