Importance of the tectonics for large eolian landforms origin in Kara Kum

Abstract

There are some large landforms in the Kara Kum desert which are not quite clear as far as their origin is concerned; the orientation and morphology of the landforms cannot be explained in terms of the existing concept of wind regime and landforms correlation. Recent space photoes permit to give other interpretation to origin and orientation of some eolian macroforms in Kara Kum. Thus arcuate chains of shots correspond to a ring structure at western Lower Kara Kum. Kyrs and large sand ridges develop at slopes of the Central Kara Kum vault. Gentle semicircles of sand ridges at West Turkmenian lowland also suggest a ring structure.