关键词: 专题地图, 风沙地貌, 地图编制技术

Abstract: Desert geomorphic map can provide the basic information for studying deserts. Compilation of the Geomorphic Map of the Kumtagh Desert was listed as the basic work in the China National Sci-Tech Basic Work Program "Comprehensive Scientific Expedition of the Kumtagh Desert"(No. 2006FY110800). This paper presents the general ideas and technologies employed in compiling this thematic map. The scale of the map was determined to be 1∶350 000, considering the thematic details to be shown and the required specification of printing paper. 1∶250 000 topographic maps prepared in the 1970s were selected as the geography base maps, supplemented by the 1∶100 000 topographic maps for details of some elements. Thematic contents were based on TM data of 2000 to 2007, supplemented by the high-resolution images provided by Google Earth in some areas. The thematic contents included geomorphic types, height and activities. The geomorphic types were classified as aeolian landforms, fluvial landforms, dry denuded landforms, glacial and periglacial landforms and other landforms. Aeolian landforms were the key elements to be manifested in the thematic map. Aeolian landforms were classified into 13 types represented by symbols, their relative height represented by colours and activities represented by arrows. Primary dunes generally higher than 10 m were sited and those less than 10 m in height were non-sited to show the distribution and patterns of aeolian landforms and consider the limitation of mapping scale. Alluvial fans and dry streams were also the key factors to be presented because the Kumtagh Desert was developed on the inclined alluvial plains to the north of the Altyn Mountains. Computer mapping and digitization technology were applied to their best. All the information that could be digitized was digitized. Geomorphic Map of the Kumtagh Desert would provide rich information for studying this desert.

Key words: thematic map, aeolian geomorphology, mapping technology