Definition
Windblown and deposited granular material with particle sizes of 0.0625–2 mm.
Category
A type of aeolian deposit.
Note
This entry discusses sand deposits in general; details on bedforms and other aeolian deposits can be found in the appropriate entries.
Subtypes
Subtypes by organization:
- (1)
- (1.1)
- (1.2)
- (1.3)
- (2)
- (3)
Drift deposits (Greeley et al. 2002)
Subtypes by Deposit Hierarchy
Sand systems are self-organized into a hierarchy of superimposed sand patterns (bedforms) (Lancaster 1995). These forms are in a state of quasi equilibrium state; they cannot grow into a form belonging to another hierarchical order (Sharp 1963).
Scales of aeolian sand bedforms:
- (1)
Ripples (from smaller aerodynamic and larger impact ripples to megaripples): They are controlled by reptation flux (Anderson 1987).
- (2)
(Simple/elementary/basic) dunes. Their formation is controlled by long-term wind trends.
- (3)
Mega-dunes(giant, draa, compound, or complex...
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References
Anderson RS (1987) A theoretical model for aeolian impact ripples. Sed. 34:943–956
Baratoux D, Mangold N, Arnalds O, Bardintzeff J-M, Platevoët B, Grégoire M, Pinet P (2011) Volcanic sands of Iceland – diverse origins of aeolian sand deposits revealed at Dyngjusandur and Lambahraun. Earth Surf Process Land 36:1789–1808. doi:10.1002/esp.2201
Bourke MC, Lancaster N, Fenton LK, Parteli EJR, Zimbelman JR, Radebaugh J (2010) Extraterrestrial dunes: an introduction to the special issue on planetary dune systems. Geomorphology 121:1–14
Edgett KS, Lancaster L (1993) Volcaniclastic aeolian dunes: terrestrial examples and application to Martian sands. J Arid Environ 25:271–297. doi:10.1006/jare.1993.1061
Gardin E, Allemand P, Quantin C, Silvestro S, Delacourt C (2012) Dune fields on Mars: recorders of a climate change? Planet Space Sci 60:314–321
Greeley R, Bridges NT, Kuzmin RO, Laity JE (2002) Terrestrial analogs to wind-related features at the viking and pathfinder landing sites on Mars. J Geophys Res 107:E1. doi:10.1029/2000JE001481
Lancaster N (1995) Dune morphology and morphometry. In: Geomorphology of desert dunes. Routledge, London
Radebaugh J, Lorenz R, Farr T, Paillou P, Savage C, Spencer C (2010) Linear dunes on Titan and Earth: initial remote sensing comparison. Geomorphology 121:122–132
Sharp RP (1963) Wind ripples. J Geol 71:617–636
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Hargitai, H. (2015). Aeolian Sand Deposits. In: Hargitai, H., Kereszturi, Á. (eds) Encyclopedia of Planetary Landforms. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3134-3_3
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