Paleoclimate and landscape evolution in an extreme continental interior – Interplay between fluvial, lacustrine and aeolian systems in the Basin of the Great Lakes, Western Mongolia

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Frank Lehmkuhl; Dr. Patrick Ludwig; Professorin Dr. Sumiko Tsukamoto
• Subject Area: Physical Geography
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 461875474

Geomorphological processes and the change of climatic conditions during the Quaternary control the landscape evolution in the internal drainage areas of western Mongolia. Especially the interplay of fluvial, lacustrine and aeolian processes create different landforms, such as alluvial fans, beach bars and dune fields. Their associated sediment archives and sediment transport pathways reflecting the late Quaternary landscape evolution. The project will analyze the geomorphological processes and sediment archives and will constrain the timing of different landforms and deposits by using TCN, ESR and OSL dating techniques. The synthesis of the results should provide comprehensive climatic modelling approach of different time slices and ultimately a landscape model of sedimentary processes under variable climates in this region with extreme continental climatic conditions, and provide analogs for other similar regions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Manfred Anton Frechen