Evolution of sand dune patterns in space and time in north-western Kuwait using Landsat images

Abstract

Satellite images covering Jal Al-Liyah area in north-western Kuwait reveal a prominent north-west/south-east-trending sand dune corridor, Al-Huwaimiliyah dune field, which is intersected by northeast/southwest-trending escarpments and subparallel calcrete and gravel ridges. These images are very useful in constructing a map delineating the main geomorphic features of the dune field. Furthermore, a set of multi-date Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images (from both before and after the Gulf War) were used to monitor temporal and spatial changes in the sand dune patterns. Image-enhancement techniques, including edge enhancement filters and contrast stretches, were utilized to delineate the sand dune field as a whole, as well as to map individual dunes. The results show a dramatic change in the amount and distribution of dunes, especially between the years 1989 and 1992, including an increased rate of dune formation. This increase is mainly attributed to the disruption of Kuwait's desert surface due to the Gulf War.