Observation of large fixed sand dunes of Taklimakan Desert using satellite imagery Original Research Article

Analyses of image data of large fixed sand dunes of Taklimakan Desert taken with Terra and Aqua MODIS, Landsat MSS, JERS-1 OPS indicate the following results. The MODIS band-1 data with 250 m spatial resolution are useful to get a macroscopic feature however spatial resolution is not enough for a detailed feature. Lansat MSS data can give useful information on huge fixed sand dunes to a certain extent. JERS-1 OPS has capability of stereoscopic observation on the same orbit at the spatial resolution of 18 m. Through analyses of OPS image data following information was obtained. The space and height of large fixed longitudinal sand dues in the eastern part are about 2 km and 120 m in average and those of large fixed transversal sand dunes to the north of Mazartag Mountain Range are about 1 km and in the range between 50 and 100 m. There is a good correspondence between the orientation of large fixed longitudinal sand dunes and the direction of the monthly maximum winds of the sand storm months.