Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol

Chapter
16

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Evolution of the Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol in
the Past Century

A.N. Varushchenko, S.A. Lukyanova, G.D. Solovieva,
A.N. Kosarev, and A.V. Kuraev

Department of Geography
Moscow State University
Moscow, Russia

Abstract

Using a variety of sources - historic maps, photographs from Russian satellites and spacecraft, and photographs from the U. S. Space Shuttle - we document the history of changes in the Kara-Bogaz-Gol basin during the twentieth century. Changes in the water level are linked to regression and transgression in the main basin of the Caspian Sea. Because Kara-Bogaz-Gol is so shallow, the changes are even more dramatic than those observed along other Caspian shorelines, and range from complete drying to filling of the basin. Human intervention by damming and controlling flow through the Kara-Bogaz Inlet increased the magnitude of changes observed and influenced salinity and water chemistry. We link the patterns of coastal change observed to the interaction between rapidly changing hydrology and the underlying geology. Key processes observed include evolution of peninsulas and islands, delta formation at the inflow, and the effects of bottom smoothing and winds on water movement within the basin.

Citation for the published article

Varushchenko, A. N., S. A. Lukyanova, G. D. Solovieva, A.N. Kosarev and A. V. Kurayev, 2000. Evolution of the Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol in the past century, in Dynamic Earth Environments: Remote Sensing Observations from Shuttle-Mir Missions (K. P. Lulla and L. V. Dessinov, eds.), John Wiley & Sons, New York, pp. 201-210.

Links to Color Images

	Figure 16.1 Long-term changes in the level of the Caspian Sea (1) and water inflow into the Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol (2).
	Figure 16.2 Diagram of the Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol: 1, shoreline of sea and bay per 1930 maps; 2, schematic boundary of water's edge In 1956; 3, exposed part of upper layer of salts In windless weather; 4, gypsum salt flats (solonchaks). (Adapted from Dzens-Litovskiy, 1959).
	Figure 16.3 Photo of the Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol taken from Soyuz 9 spacecraft, 1970.
	Figure 16.4 Photograph of the Caspian from the Meteor 30 satellite, 20 August, 1984, showing complete desiccation of the Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol (arrows).
	Figure 16.5 NASA photograph (STS045-81-57) of the Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol and the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, taken 25 March, 1992. Numbers keyed to explanations in text.
	Figure 16.6 NASA photograph (STS059-L17-73) of the Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol, taken April 14, 1995. Numbers keyed to explanations in text.
	Figure 16.7 General view of the Kara-Bogaz Spits and inlet, October 9, 1994. (NASA photograph STS068-247-5). The delta at the inlet mouth and the turbid debris cones from it are visible. Numbers keyed to explanations in text.

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