Abstract: Gurbantonggut Desert is the largest fixed and semi-fixed desert in China. In this study a statistical analysis on wind regime and sand drift potential at two weather stations located in the hinterland of the Gurbantonggut Desert was carry out during the period from 2003 to 2006. The results are as follows: The occurring frequency of sand transport wind is 0.25% in the central area of the desert and 0.11% in the south area. The prevailing wind directions are northeast wind and northwest wind in the central area but southwest wind and northwest wind in the south area. In the central area, the sand drift potential (DP) and resultant sand drift potential (RDP) are 66.7 VU and 25.7 VU respectively, and the resultant sand drift direction (RDD) is 197.0°. DP and RDP in the south area are 29.8 VU and 16.3 VU respectively, and RDD is 108.4°. Both the central and south areas of the Gurbantonggut Desert belong to the low wind energy environment according to Fryberger's classification. Sand transport wind in the study area occurs mainly in spring and summer, the percentage of DP from April to October accounts for 90% in the central area, and that from April to August in the south area accounts for 85%. Affected by strong wind and corresponding wind directions (northeast and northwest) in the central area, the ridge of longitudinal dune-chains extends along the resultant wind direction, and the dune chains are high. Affected by southwest and northwest winds in the south area, an eastward deflexion of the ridge of longitudinal dune-chains occurs, and a subsidiary ridge appears.

Key words: wind regime, sand drift potential, strike of longitudinal dune-chain, Gurbantonggut Desert