Identifying regional dust transport pathways: Application of kinematic trajectory modelling to a trans-Tasman case

• Main Authors: McGowan, HA, McTainsh, GH, Zawar-Reza, P, Sturman, AP
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2000
• Subjects: Geography; Physical; Geosciences; Multidisciplinary; Australia; New Zealand; Tasman Sea; Dust Transport; Trajectory Modelling; Deposition; Dust Storm; Southern Africa; Saharan Dust; New-zealand; Air; Sediments; Aerosol; Atlantic; Aridity; Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:36496

PI kinematic trajectory model is used to investigate potential pathways of dust transport from Australia to New Zealand. Historically, these have been assumed to follow rather direct west-east trajectories spanning 2 to 3 days, often resulting in red snow events in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. However, results from the present study which examined the route taken by air parcels originating in southern Australia during dust storms on 24 and 25 May 1994, indicate that trans-Tasman dust transport trajectories are more diverse than previously thought, and display considerable variation during single events. These mon divergent pathways tie in more closely with aeolian dust sedimentation patterns identified by ocean coring in the Tasman Sea, and may account for the deposition of Australian dust on sub-Antarctic islands located well south of the Australian continent. Copyright 2000 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.