SeaWiFS identifies dust sources in the Namib Desert

Abstract

Mineral dust sources were identified in Sea‐viewing Wide Field‐of‐view Sensor (SeaWiFS) images along the south‐west coast of Africa. Up to 150 dust plumes were observed over a 3 year period, and these are linked to sources that are either salt pans or dry river beds in the Namib Desert. This demonstrates that dust supply is maintained by fluvial landforms and associated hydrology. This paper highlights the need to look in more detail at source areas around the globe, as this will further our understanding of dust‐production processes.