Earth Surface Processes and Landforms最新文献

{"title":"Quaternary non-karst caves in tills: A pilot study","authors":"Sebastian Tyszkowski,&nbsp;Halina Kaczmarek,&nbsp;Mateusz Kramkowski,&nbsp;Jan Urban,&nbsp;Daria Maria Kramkowska,&nbsp;Radosław Paternoga","doi":"10.1002/esp.70049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.70049","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Caves formed in unlithified glacial sediments are unique elements of geological heritage, unlike underground voids and networks of channels, which occur relatively frequently in Quaternary loess and loess-like deposits. Despite the significant potential for understanding collapse processes in extensive areas covered by glacial deposits, such cavities have been poorly investigated, partly due to their rarity and short lifespans. The paper explores the occurrence of natural caves within Quaternary unlithified tills in northern Poland on the example of previously identified caves (one of which was discovered by the authors). Situated in the northern part of the Polish Lowlands, the caves are located on steep slopes of river valleys and a seashore cliff. During the study, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) was used to gather detailed morphometric data and create highly accurate cave models of these relatively young objects subject to rapid transformation, thereby providing the opportunity to formulate and discuss preliminary concepts of their genesis. The caves are not long – their length varies from 4.7 m to 11 m – but their morphology and geological conditions, and the interrelations between these features, suggest that these non-karst cavities were formed after the last ice sheet had retreated and that their development was associated with the presence of natural and glaciotectonic fractures within silty tills and with piping processes. These are young forms subjected to constant evolution that will lead to their eventual disappearance.</p><p>The gathered data (especially the high-resolution TLS-based models) will be used in the future to monitor transformations and assess the pace of changes. They may also provide an impetus to search for more such objects in fresh exposures on eroded slopes of valleys or banks of waterbodies.</p>","PeriodicalId":11408,"journal":{"name":"Earth Surface Processes and Landforms","volume":"50 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144118148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphogenesis of high mountains entirely covered by granitoid boulders and blocks in the northeastern part of Australia","authors":"Masahiro Chigira,&nbsp;Makoto Kaneko","doi":"10.1002/esp.70083","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.70083","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Boulder fields are a typical feature of granitoid landscapes. Previously reported boulder fields are commonly an accumulation of boulders on gently undulating surfaces; however, sometimes boulders form high mountains. The Black and Melville Mountains, northeast Australia, have relative heights of 300 to 500 m and are entirely covered by granitoid boulders and blocks. They are underlain by Permian granitoid rocks intruded into the Silurian–Devonian strata. We performed field surveys, UAV observations and satellite image analysis of these mountains using Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) obtained from satellite data. Melville Mountain has low-relief top surfaces surrounded by steep slopes covered by boulders with (sub)angular blocks. The low-relief surfaces are assumed to be an exhumed Jurassic unconformity, below which the granitoid rocks became corestones (boulders) by subsurface spheroidal weathering. The limited exposure of the bedrock suggests that the granitoids were columnar jointed, which facilitated the spheroidal weathering. The steep slopes are covered by boulders originating from the low-relief top surfaces and rock blocks from the rock columns below the zone of spheroidal weathering. Black Mountain lacks low-relief top surfaces and comprises steep slopes covered with rock blocks. Boulders on Black Mountain exist at the feet of steep slopes and are mixed with rock blocks. The boulders are probably from previous low-relief top surfaces that are now lost. Columnar joints, subsurface spheroidal weathering, uplift and erosion are essential for the formation of the high mountains covered by boulders and blocks of granitoid.</p>","PeriodicalId":11408,"journal":{"name":"Earth Surface Processes and Landforms","volume":"50 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144100659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of outer-bar alongshore variability on inner-bar rip dynamics","authors":"Drude Fritzbøger Christensen,&nbsp;Britt Raubenheimer,&nbsp;Steve Elgar","doi":"10.1002/esp.70086","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.70086","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A field-calibrated morphodynamic model (MIKE21) is used to investigate the importance of the dimensions of a rip channel across an outer sand bar to the hydrodynamics and morphological evolution of an inner sand bar and rip channel for a range of initial bathymetries and wave conditions. The model was driven with offshore wave conditions and idealized bathymetry representative of field conditions near Duck, NC, USA during which strong rips and associated channel erosion were observed to occur over an inner bar. Consistent with prior results, the strength of the hydro-morphological coupling between the two bars depends on the dimensions of the outer-bar perturbation, as well as the wave forcing. The results suggest that in double-barred systems, a single moderate-scale perturbation (<i>O(</i>0.1 m deep, 10 m wide<i>)</i>) in the outer-bar elevation can lead to the generation of a rip current and associated erosion of a rip channel across the inner bar. The simulations suggest that the magnitude of the inner-bar rip flow, the depth to which the inner-bar channel is eroded, and the alongshore position of the inner-bar rip relative to the outer-bar perturbation depend on the non-dimensional outer-bar channel depth, the transverse rip-channel slope, and the wave height, period and directional spreading. For deep and narrow outer-bar channels, the outer-inner bar coupling is strong. In contrast, for shallow and wide outer-bar channels, the system may alternate between being coupled and uncoupled with unstable locations of the inner-bar rip.</p>","PeriodicalId":11408,"journal":{"name":"Earth Surface Processes and Landforms","volume":"50 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/esp.70086","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144100660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The hydro-geomorphic effects of wooden leaky barriers in a steep headwater stream","authors":"Stephen Addy,&nbsp;Mark Wilkinson,&nbsp;Paul Quinn","doi":"10.1002/esp.70079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.70079","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Purposely placed in-stream wooden leaky barriers (LBs) with lower gaps to facilitate flow during average conditions have become a popular type of nature-based intervention in catchments for flood risk mitigation. Empirical evidence on their effectiveness remains rare, however. The hydro-geomorphic effects of 16 LBs were monitored over three years on the Elm Sike, a small upland stream (catchment area: 0.33 km²) in the Scottish Borders, UK. The aims of the structures were to: (1) increase water storage and roughness and, in turn, attenuate and delay flood peaks; and (2) trap and store coarse sediment to reduce sediment-related problems downstream. Annual topographical surveys were conducted to assess geomorphic changes, and continuous 5-minute water levels were recorded to assess changes in peak flow travel times. Two-dimensional hydraulic modelling (HEC-RAS 2D) was undertaken to assess the hydraulic impact of the structures and geomorphic changes. The LBs had no effect on peak flow travel time and rate of stage rise or fall based on 22 events with an Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) of ≥ 3.7%. Hydraulic modelling showed limited velocity reduction and expansion of inundation extent due to the LBs for 50% AEP flows, but slightly greater effects for larger 5% AEP flows. However, for 50% AEP flows, inundation extent increased and velocities decreased more significantly due to morphological changes initiated by the structures. The limited hydrological and hydraulic impacts were related to the small size of the structures, close spacing and the steep, confined valley setting that limited water storage capacity. At the end of the three-year period, a reach-wide net deposition response of 3.49 ± 0.36 m³ and a 5.3% loss of total LB backwater storage were observed, but local geomorphic response due to the LBs was spatially variable. Backwater capacity at 10 structures was reduced, and the lower gap increased at eight structures due to bed scour, indicating accelerated underflow. Multivariable analysis showed that gap height change was inversely related to backwater shear stress, channel cross-section area and channel slope. No factors explained backwater sediment deposition, but a threshold lower gap height of ≤0.4 m for initiating deposition was evident. These hydro-geomorphic observations have implications for the design and placement of LBs in river restoration and flood risk management projects.</p>","PeriodicalId":11408,"journal":{"name":"Earth Surface Processes and Landforms","volume":"50 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/esp.70079","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144074558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Suspended transport of gravel in rivers: Empirical evidence from the 2022 flood in the Misa River (Eastern Apennines, Italy)","authors":"Andrea Brenna,&nbsp;Vittoria Scorpio,&nbsp;Alvise Finotello,&nbsp;Filippo Zarabara,&nbsp;Nicola Surian","doi":"10.1002/esp.70081","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.70081","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In September 2022, an exceptional flood in the Misa River basin (Eastern Apennines, Italy) resulted in the unusual deposition of gravelly lobes on terraces up to 6 m higher than the riverbed. These deposits suggest that coarse bed sediments were transported in suspension rather than as bedload, as typically occurs under competent flow conditions. To verify this hypothesis, we combined field evidence—obtained from geomorphological and sedimentological surveys—with theoretical insights based on sediment transport theory. Our findings indicate that medium-sized gravels, which are part of the riverbed material, were transported in suspension within the water column. This phenomenon required specific conditions to generate the necessary shear stress and energy, including (i) a high-magnitude flood enriched with fine sediments, which increased the fluid density and viscosity, and (ii) an entrenched channel with stable banks that limited channel widening during the flood event. When these processes coincided with alluvial plain inundation by overbank flows, gravel transported in suspension was able to reach and settle on elevated surfaces, such as terraces far above the active channel. These observations highlight the potential for gravel-bed rivers to support the transport of coarse sediment in suspension under extreme flood conditions and specific geomorphological constraints on the active river channels. By demonstrating the role of sediment concentration, channel morphology and flood dynamics, our research provides new insights into sediment transport mechanisms and contributes to a broader understanding of the morphodynamic processes governing gravel-bed rivers under such exceptional conditions, with broad implications for refining flood hazard models and improving sediment transport predictions in fluvial systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":11408,"journal":{"name":"Earth Surface Processes and Landforms","volume":"50 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/esp.70081","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143944790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Links between pore system evolution, lake genesis and limnological characteristics: Evidence from basin morphology, specific conductivity and lake level variability on San Salvador Island, Bahamas","authors":"Charles I. Breithaupt,&nbsp;Ronald A. Knoll,&nbsp;Jason D. Gulley,&nbsp;Shawn M. Fullmer,&nbsp;Paul J. Moore,&nbsp;Charles Kerans,&nbsp;Patricia Spellman,&nbsp;Natalie Salazar","doi":"10.1002/esp.70048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.70048","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Lake-aquifer connectivity in coastal carbonate platforms is governed by diagenetic and depositional processes which influence basin morphology. Because coastal aquifers are known to have tidally controlled water levels, tidal fluctuations in lakes may be used to expand areal measurements of permeability and establish a link between regional-scale connectivity and lake genesis. To evaluate the link between basin connectivity and genesis, we compared time series of water level fluctuations collected at high temporal resolution in the ocean and 24 lakes and ponds on San Salvador Island, Bahamas. By treating each lake as a well with a very large footprint, we calculated apparent hydraulic diffusivity and aquifer permeability of the rocks surrounding each lake to relative and regional-scale connectivity of lakes to the ocean. We paired apparent permeabilities (10^−14.4 to 10^−9.8 m²) with observations of basin morphologies derived from light detection and ranging (LIDAR) to identify five distinct lake types that reflect varying degrees of diagenesis of rocks separating lakes from the ocean: (1) Back beach flood basins formed due of sedimentation and sea-level rise. Back beach flood basins that formed during the Holocene have the lowest apparent permeabilities (10^−14.4 m²). (2) Cutoff lagoons, which sediments connect offshore cays, and plug tidal inlets resulting in isolated lakes. Cutoff lagoons which formed during the Holocene also have low apparent permeabilities (10^−13.9 to 10^−12.8 m²). (3) Dune swale lakes formed when rising sea-levels flooded topography created by previous sea-level highstands and have apparent permeabilities of 10^−12.5 m². Dune swale lakes have (4) karst lakes, which form when caves or touching vugs link lakebeds to the ocean have the highest apparent permeabilities of 10^−9.8 m². (5) Overflow ponds, which receive water when high tides, cause neighbouring karst lakes to spill over a topographic divide. For lakes which do not exhibit any aquifer/ocean connectivity, we suggest low permeability exposure surfaces lining the lakebed drive hydraulic isolation.</p>","PeriodicalId":11408,"journal":{"name":"Earth Surface Processes and Landforms","volume":"50 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143949961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microtopography-scale research on the sediment connectivity of hillslopes based on optimised M&V depression-filling and a simulated annealing algorithm","authors":"Ke Song,&nbsp;Wenyu Wang,&nbsp;Xinlan Liang,&nbsp;Yang Liu,&nbsp;Ying Cao,&nbsp;Yong Wang","doi":"10.1002/esp.70082","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.70082","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Sediment connectivity serves as a crucial indicator for assessing the extent of soil erosion, thus reflecting the potential sediment transport capacity within a given watershed. Depression filling is one of the most elementary operation procedures in the hydrologic analysis of surface microtopography. However, the influence of microtopography on sediment connectivity calculated by a high-efficiency algorithm at the hillslope scale remains uncertain. In this study, we developed an improved depression-filling algorithm based on digital elevation models (DEMs) to evaluate the sediment index of connectivity (<i>IC</i>) under different microtopographic treatments (surfaces with continuous depressions, alternating depressions, continuous mounds, alternating mounds, continuous mounds and depressions, and alternating mounds and depressions) during rainfall events. A smooth surface was used for the control treatment. The results indicated that the presence of microtopographic conditions and the type of algorithm significantly influenced sediment connectivity and yield. The mean <i>IC</i> values obtained from different algorithms notably differed. The combined M&amp;V depression-filling–simulated annealing algorithms (M&amp;V–SAA) generated relatively few parallel flow directions, thereby promoting the creation of additional continuous sediment connectivity paths. The slope surface with alternating mounds significantly increased the sediment yield, whereas that with alternating mounds and depressions markedly decreased the sediment yield at a rainfall intensity of 60 mm h⁻¹. The <i>IC</i> value calculated via the M&amp;V–SAA algorithm was significantly positively correlated with the sediment yield, whereas the <i>IC</i> values calculated via the other algorithms were not significantly correlated with the sediment yield. A simulated annealing mechanism was integrated into the M&amp;V algorithm, thereby increasing the accuracy of the calculated <i>IC</i> values at the microtopographic scale. These findings could critically inform the optimisation of sediment connectivity models and provide a precise quantitative description of sediment transport during rainfall events.</p>","PeriodicalId":11408,"journal":{"name":"Earth Surface Processes and Landforms","volume":"50 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143944789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quantifying streambank erosion: A comparison of physical surveys, aerial imagery and UAS LiDAR surveys","authors":"Layla El-Khoury,&nbsp;Jack Kurki-Fox,&nbsp;Barbara Doll","doi":"10.1002/esp.70039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.70039","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Excessive or accelerated streambank erosion can harm stream ecosystems and negatively impact water supply and infrastructure systems. Streambank erosion can be the most significant source of in-stream sediment loads and associated contaminants. Site-specific, low-cost and timesaving methods to quantify active erosion rates are needed to identify and prioritize locations for restoration actions focused on reducing sediment loads and improving stream functions. Therefore, we examined several methods for quantifying streambank erosion at smaller spatial and temporal scales that are typical of most restoration projects. Physical surveys, aerial imagery analysis and Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) based light detection and ranging (LiDAR) surveys were conducted to document erosion at three streams in the Blue Ridge and Ridge and Valley regions of Virginia. Three methods were used to quantify bank retreat: 1) cross-section (XS) surveys, 2) top-of-bank (TOB) surveys and 3) aerial imagery analysis. The bank retreat rates were compared to rates estimated from aerial images collected during 2007 to 2019. All three methods were then paired with field-measured bank heights to estimate the volume of erosion. Reachwide erosion volumes were also estimated with digital elevation models (DEM) of Difference (DoD) using LiDAR data collected with an UAS. The estimated eroded sediment volumes varied widely across all methods but were of a similar magnitude. DoD produced the lowest estimated sediment loads, highest uncertainty and was statistically different from the average of the maximum erosion measured at all cross-sections. The volume of streambank erosion ranged from 0.18 to 1.26 m³/m/yr across all sites for all methods excluding DoD. Based on the small size of our study streams and the short monitoring period (one to two years), DoD was the least suitable method. Selecting the appropriate method for documenting and quantifying erosion depends on the time available, the purpose of estimating erosion, the resolution required and stream conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":11408,"journal":{"name":"Earth Surface Processes and Landforms","volume":"50 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/esp.70039","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143949960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lagrangian simulation of bedload-sized particle trajectories at a 90° river confluence","authors":"Yufang Ni,&nbsp;Gelare Moradi,&nbsp;Zhixian Cao,&nbsp;Stuart N. Lane","doi":"10.1002/esp.70080","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.70080","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Whilst confluence hydrodynamics are now very well known, their morphodynamics are less so. This is particularly true for bedload transport, including the trajectories followed by bedload supplied to a confluence by the main channel or the tributary, and their interactions. Field measurement of this phenomenon is currently difficult. Laboratory measurement allows study of gross effects, but not the detailed physics of the process. This paper applies a Lagrangian particle tracking model to a 90° discordant confluence, i.e. where the tributary enters the main channel at a height above the mainstream bed. The model was set up to represent the confluence of the Rhône and Avançon Rivers, Switzerland. The model is based upon a three-dimensional solution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in the open-source toolbox OpenFOAM. It applies a Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation. Particle movement allows for coupled interactions between particles as well as between particles and the stream bed. Results show that as bedload arrives at the tributary mouth, there is size segregation. Some particles from the tributary fall rapidly to the mainstream bed and then travel along the main channel margin to the zone where bank-attached point bars commonly form. Others travel further into the main channel, notably if interactions between particles are allowed. The zone of maximum shear between the joining flows tends to have lower densities of particle tracks. There is sediment sorting at the junction with the very coarsest particles, due to interactions and momentum effects, and the very finest particles, due to greater ease of turbulent suspension, extending further into the main channel.</p>","PeriodicalId":11408,"journal":{"name":"Earth Surface Processes and Landforms","volume":"50 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143939229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Drill core Uranium and Neodymium isotopic constraints on the provenance of the Mu Us dune field, northern China","authors":"Maotong Li,&nbsp;Guodong Zhang,&nbsp;Benhong Guo,&nbsp;Fei Peng,&nbsp;Haopeng Geng,&nbsp;Junsheng Nie","doi":"10.1002/esp.70078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.70078","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Recent studies suggest that sediments derived from the northeastern Tibetan Plateau are potential sources for the western Mu Us dune field in northern China. However, this hypothesis conflicts with the (²³⁴U/²³⁸U) activity ratios and Nd isotopic values of the modern western Mu Us dune field. Here, we measured the (²³⁴U/²³⁸U) activity ratios and Nd isotopic values of two late Quaternary drill core samples from the western Mu Us dune field. The results align with the ranges observed in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau-derived upper Yellow River samples, confirming that these sediments are a likely source for the western Mu Us dune field during periods unaffected by human activity. This finding underscores the role of aeolian-fluvial interactions in shaping the dryland landscape of northern China. We suspect that the modern Mu Us dune field samples may have been affected by factors like human activities so inferences of sedimentary provenance based solely on modern samples should be cautious.</p>","PeriodicalId":11408,"journal":{"name":"Earth Surface Processes and Landforms","volume":"50 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143930526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}