Cartographic assessing the morphometric and morphodynamic characteristics of the largest blowout depressions in the West Siberian north

The author presents the results of mapping the parameters of aeolian micro-relief in the northern part of Western Siberia, RF, due to the interpretation of the ArcticDEM and images from Corona, WorldView-2/3, and GeoEye-1. The mapping methodology is based on using tools for coregistration, segmentation, zonal statistics calculation, and visual interpretation. The study of the largest blowout depressions showed that they are mainly formed at elevations not exceeding 60 m above the Sea Level; usually have flat sandy surfaces, and relatively regular shapes. With significant elevation differences (from 10 to 25 m), the average maximum height of the ridges on the periphery of the blowout depressions is 5,61 m, and that of transverse dunes on the surface is 1,73 m. For most of such relief features, a reduction of the active sands area by an average of 0,1 sq. m has been observed over the past 47–55 years. The average displacement rate of the ridges on their periphery was 0,29 m/year, with a maximum value of 1,09 m. The aeolian micro-relief in the north of Western Siberia is more than twice as small as that of the tukulans in Yakutia (Sakha Republic), RF. The dynamics indicators are generally comparable to those observed for similar landforms in the high-latitude regions of Alaska and Antarctica. The obtained results are representative of a vast area in the said geographical region, and their practical application is related to addressing geo-environmental forecasting, reclamation planning, and indicators of global climate change