U.S.-France Cooperative Research: Formation of a Modern Super Bounding Surface with Erg Migration: Archar Erg, Mauritania

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This award will support collaborative geological field research in Mauritania between Dr. Gary Kocurek, University of Texas in Austin and Dr. Max Deynoux of the Laboratoire de Petrologie, University of Poitiers, France. The investigators plan to study a Saharan sand sea (the Archar Erg in northwestern Mauritania) that, from all evidence, is actively migrating with the formation of a super bounding surface in its wake. It has been recently recognized that regional unconformities (termed super bounding surfaces) occur within ancient eolian (wind) sequences of the western U.S. These surfaces potentially allow local and regional correlation and the recognition of distinct genetic sand-sea migration. Super surfaces formed by sand-sea migration are the least understood, largely because the modern small dune fields in the temperate climate of North America are not viable analogues for large-scale, trade-wind-belt sand seas that are migrating. In this joint project Dr. Kocurek will benefit from French expertise, logistical support and access to an unusual geological site. The study will address processes of surface development with sand-sea migration, including controls on sand deflation, preservation potential of sand-sea deposits, and formation of features characteristic of this type of terrestrial unconformity.