Aeolian activity. A meteorological approach

Historical evidence of aeolian activity in the outer coastal zone of Jæren, southwest Norway, is presented. Meteorological factors such as wind force and wind direction are discussed. Special attention is devoted to meteorological factors causing drought (evaporation and precipitation) as a necessary condition for the occurrence of sand drift. Several aeolian periods after 6000 BP have been identified in the sediments along the coast of Jæren. It is suggested that the changes in the aeolian activity observed have arisen from changes in the environmental state, such as lowering sea level, climatic variation and environmental stress caused by man's interference in connection with increasing agricultural activity (forest clearing, cultivation and so on).