|
H35 Dust Storm, Owens Lake. California, USA
Position:
N036° 20'
W117° 55'approx.
Elevation:
3650' / 1112m approx.
Image format:
35mm
DUST STORM, OWENS LAKE. CALIFORNIA, USA
The Owens Lake in California's Owens Valley, frequently dries-out
due to EVAPORATION by intense solar heating and a lack of incoming
water from the Owens River and other sources. The lack of water
is a major ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE involving the diversion of HEAD-WATER
STREAMS along the length of the Owens Valley and beyond by the
L.A. AQUADUCT that feeds Los Angles many miles/kilometers to the
south. (More information on this controversy will be featured
in the regolith.com library, especially in relation to MONO LAKE
(see H37).
This image shows EVAPORITE SALTS from the died-up floor of Owens
Lake being blown around by the wind. Wind blown accumulations
of evaporite material are common in many arid localities. One
example is that of WHITE SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT in New Mexico,
where the 'sand' is an evaporite salt known as GYPSUM. Of course,
loose soil and dirt can be blown by the wind and this is a serious
cause of SOIL EROSION.
The clouds above are active CUMULUS types which may become CUMULO-NIMBUS
types later in the day as the temperature rises and convection
increases.
Less detail
Image Trail:
H9 Sand dunes & wind ripples. Death Valley Ntl Park. California,
USA
H10 Evaporite deposit. Death Valley National Park. California, USA
H18 Evaporite deposit. Bonneville Salt Flats. Utah, USA
H27 Arid desert. Mexican Hat. Utah, USA
H37 Evaporite Tufa Mono Lake. California, USA
L72 White Gypsum Sand, White Sands National Monument, New Mexico,
USA
H1 River in an arid area. Fremont River, Capitol Reef National Park.
Utah, USA
Links:
http://www.weru.ksu.edu/pics/dust_storms/index00.html |
