THE FORMATION, EVOLUTION AND CAUSE OF THE Mu Us DESERT IN CHINA

Comprehensive correlation and analysis on the stratigraphic structure of the Quaternaryeolian sand in the Mu Us Desert comfirm that the Desert has been in existenceintermittently since the initial stage of the Quaternary at latest. The Desert is asteppe type sandy desert characterized by mosaic distribution of shifting, semi-shifting, semi-fixed and fixed dune and areas of loess grass land. It did not evolve toward uniform shift-ing sand, but underwent a series of normal and reverse development processes from the occur-rence of shifting sand to the spread, fixation and reduction of the sandy desert to grassland.Climatic fluctuation since the Quaternary is the primary factor for the formation and evolutionof the Desert, while neotectonics and human activities are the secondary factors.

THE FORMATION, EVOLUTION AND CAUSE OF THE Mu Us DESERT IN CHINA

Comprehensive correlation and analysis on the stratigraphic structure of the Quaternaryeolian sand in the Mu Us Desert comfirm that the Desert has been in existenceintermittently since the initial stage of the Quaternary at latest. The Desert is asteppe type sandy desert characterized by mosaic distribution of shifting, semi-shifting, semi-fixed and fixed dune and areas of loess grass land. It did not evolve toward uniform shift-ing sand, but underwent a series of normal and reverse development processes from the occur-rence of shifting sand to the spread, fixation and reduction of the sandy desert to grassland.Climatic fluctuation since the Quaternary is the primary factor for the formation and evolutionof the Desert, while neotectonics and human activities are the secondary factors.