Sandstorms in China will enter a new dynamic period with higher frequency and intensity than any of the past years, according to a report released Monday by the Environment and Engineering Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

The activity of sandstorms in China changes following periods of pronounced flux, the report said, adding that the conclusion was based on the analysis of strong and extra-strong sandstorms in northern and northwestern China from 1952 to 2000.

In the 1960s and 1970s, sandstorms in China stayed on a rising path, while the 1980s and 1990s witnessed a slow drop. But researchers say that starting from 2000, sandstorms hit China again with drastically higher frequency and intensity.

According to the report, the sources of sandstorms in north China are mainly in Hexi Corridor, to the west of the Yellow River, Alxa Highlands, central Inner Mongolia and South Xinjiang Basin.

Experts say that the fluctuation of sandstorms is strongly correlated with the changing ecology and atmospheric circulation in east Asia, which exerts a strong influence on rainfall in the area.

Sandstorms, caused by aridity and desertification, can lead to poor visibility. Areas that frequently experience sandstorms usually suffer from environmental degradation, experts said.

Sandstorms used to pelt north Africa, central and southwest Asia, southwest America and Australia. In China, they mainly harass the northern and northwestern parts.

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2005)