Wind-carved Wonders: An Aerial Study of Yardangs in the Puna, Argentina Using Drone and Satellite Imagery

Yardangs, elongated landforms sculpted by wind erosion, are prominent features in the Campo de Piedra Pomez (CPP) region of the Puna-Altiplano Plateau, Argentina. This study explores their formation and evolution through the examination of a 6 km by 0.5 km area captured in 2019 and a 5 km by 0.5 km area in 2024. High-resolution drone imagery and satellite data were employed to classify and quantify yardangs, gravel, and underlying bedrock across a vast study area. The research reveals a variation in yardang distribution and morphology from northwest (windward) to southeast (leeward), noting a significant decrease in yardang and bedrock area, coupled with an increase in gravel coverage. This linear pattern suggests a progressive formation process, highlighting varying degrees of yardang maturity influenced by wind erosion and sediment transport. Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) indicated that elevated regions within the CPP have a higher concentration of yardangs, suggesting localized factors such as geological composition and wind exposure contribute to yardang development. Additionally, gravel analysis showed a distinct difference in size, shape, and composition along the windward-to-leeward transect: larger, more angular gravel with little quartz upwind, and smaller, well-rounded gravel with higher quartz content downwind. These findings highlight the role of prevailing northwest winds in shaping the yardangs and transporting sediment across the region. A key aspect of this research is the proposal of a staged progression model for yardang formation, where windward yardangs are less mature and downwind yardangs exhibit more advanced erosional features. This model provides a nuanced understanding of yardang evolution and highlights the dynamic nature of aeolian processes. Furthermore, the study draws parallels with similar landforms on Mars, Venus, and Titan, suggesting that the mechanisms of yardang formation on Earth can inform our understanding of aeolian processes on other planetary bodies. Overall, this study enhances the understanding of yardang formation and evolution, contributing valuable insights into the interaction between geological structures and atmospheric forces. The findings underscore the importance of high-resolution imagery and photogrammetry in geomorphological research and offer a foundation for future studies to explore the detailed mechanisms behind yardang formation on Earth and other planets.