A study on historical location and evolution of Lop Nor in China with maps and DEM

Lop Sea, located at the east end of Tarim Basin, Northwest China, dried up permanently, which is terminal lake River. Sea was considered as basin Nor since Quaternary. However, possibility that away from in historical time crucial to be discussed interpret proxy records sediment profiles. To obtain a general view evolution and period, several approaches were adopted this paper. First, Qianlong Thirteen-Row Atlas, an ancient imperial atlas Qing Dynasty, completed around 1760, indicated River formed relatively large its modern upstream region. Second, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with 10-m spatial resolution relative precision 0.42 m derived TanDEM-X/TerraSAR-X satellite image pairs using interferometry method, verified ICESat-GLAS laser footprints local DEM acquired by drone. Finally, based on analysis documents, expedition reports, profiles archaeological evidence, it can deduced lacustrine deposition discontinued Sea. Six episodes evolutionary history drainage system eastern Basin summarized. The proved depositional condition variations could used for future interpretation sediment. high-accurate provided reference location further fieldwork method proposed paper may efficient research inland lakes or rivers global arid regions.