Mapping Paleohydrology of the Ephemeral Kuiseb River, Namibia, from Radar Remote Sensing

Research reveals the hidden paleohydrology of the Kuiseb River, Namibia, using high-resolution radar imaging from the ALOS-2 satellite. The study identified a vast paleochannel system, dubbed the 'Paleo-Kuiseb,' buried beneath aeolian sediments in the southern interdune valleys, confirming its role as a remnant drainage system from the Holocene era. Fieldwork, including ground-penetrating radar and drone-generated digital elevation models, validated these findings, showing how the advancing Namib Sand Sea has pushed the river northward over time. This discovery sheds light on the young age of active linear dunes at the northern edge of the sand sea and their impact on the Kuiseb River's course, offering insights into both past climatic conditions and potential water resources in Western Namibia.

Paillou, P., Lopez, S., Marais, E., & Scipal, K. (2020). Mapping Paleohydrology of the Ephemeral Kuiseb River, Namibia, from Radar Remote Sensing. Water, 12(5), 1441. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12051441