Geomorphic features of the emerged Aral Sea floor

Abstract

Recently emerged Aral Sea floor reveals areas differing in topography and rocks lithology, which had been formed under conditions of shallow water before the sea level dropped. Three types of landforms are identified: created by marine abrasion (former bench), marine accumulative forms and deltaic ones. Eolian processes are very active now and bark fan dunes are formed, mostly on former sand bars. Salts are blown out at a very high rate, the main area of salt removal being the former archipelago of Akpetkin. Further low wering of the sea level will expose submarine slope of simpler structure and lithology.