Introduction: Overview of Desert Storms in Asia
International convention defines dust storms as meteorological events "in which visibility at eye level is reduced to less than 1,000 m by dust activity raised from the surface by wind action" (Pye, 1987, p. 80). A dust storm day is a period of 24 hours in which visibility is reduced below 1,000 m for all or part of the time. According to Pye (1987), the highest frequencies of dust storms occur in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. In parts of northeast China, particularly the Takla Makan and Gansu Corridor, dust storms occur more than 30 times per year (Pye, 1987).
It is the purpose of this study to move from an overview of desert dust storms in Asia to an analysis of the causes, consequences, and overall effects of such storms. The focus of the discussion will be on environmental effects and not on the effects of such conditions on human beings. A review of relevant literature will be undertaken to present information addressing each of these issues.
Generally, dust storms that occur in arid and semi-arid regions such as that of portions of Asia are seen as playing a main role in the evolution of landscapes (Huang & Gao, 2001). The important factor shaping the occurrence of dust storms is climate, which Huang and Gao (2001) suggest has been poorly understood thus far. Other causes of dust storms may play a role in their frequency and development.
Numerous effects of dust storms and desert storms have been observed, including erosion, sediment deposit in rivers and other locations, negative effects upon agricultural production, and the reshaping of plant life along with changes in solar and thermal radiation patterns (Pye, 1987). These issues will be discussed in greater depth below.
Cooke, Warren, and Goudie (1993) stated that most dust storms begin as plumes or narrow concentrations of dusty air streaming downwind from a source. Plumes act as j...