Integration of anemometers data and geomorphology of sand dunes in Kashan Erg

Wind erosion is one of the most important natural processes in arid and semi-arid areas, occurring as a result of erosive winds. Wind speed, frequency and duration should be considered in studies related to wind erosion. Kashan Erg is one of the most important sand dunes complexes in Iran. To study the relationship between the wind characteristics (Uni- directional index, windness index, wind duration and frequency) with Erg morphology and also study the changes of sand flow rate in various regions, anemometers data were obtained from synoptic stations of Kashan, Ardestan, Jangalbani Badrod, Garmsar and Qom. Then, the interpolation map of sand transport and interpolation map of average and maximum wind in Kashan Erg were drawn using GIS software. Finally, the analysis results showed that the interpolation map of sand transport corroborated the results obtained from interpolation map of average wind, because sand transport rate and average wind speed were reduced from east to west of the Erg. Therefore, it is found that wind frequency and duration have more important role in the sand transport and morphology of the study area as compared with the wind speed. In addition, the comparison of Erg morphology and anemometer results in different stations showed that the spring and summer winds had the highest role in the Erg morphology.