How do dunes form on beaches and rough surfaces?
A group of international researchers used a high resolution laser in the Namibian desert to study the formation of small sand dunes. The authors believe that innovation can also help explain how these mounds are formed on Mars and other planets.
Professor Joe Neel during Field Research in Namibia
Reproduction // Matthew Badak | University of Southampton
Analytical scientists through a high resolution laser in the Namibian desert, how small sand dunes are formed, are not in the desert, but allowing them to explain on tough beaches or surfaces.
A group of international researchers, including members of Southampton, Oxford, Laughbro (United Kingdom), Paris (France), Illinois and Denver (USA) universities Moving sand on rough and more consolidated surfaces And the formation of cells is more easily transported by air.
After reaching the surface of soft and wavy, The sand is accumulatedSmall dunes or “Protodunas“, As researchers described them in an article published on Monday in the magazine Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Researchers during field research in Namibia
Joe Neel | University of Southampton
So far, scientists have not been able to apply their knowledge of how small dunes are formed on the beaches.
“There are almost unlimited amounts of soft and dry sand of the Sahara Desert, depending on the on Hi that it is collected and deposited by air. However, one of the authors, Joe Neel, researcher, said,” It does not explain how small mounds on beaches or hard zones can be formed. ” University of Southampton.
According to Niel, “on these wet or hard surfaces, Sand not only through the floor, but up to a meter, pLink to be gradually transformed, where grains experience a change from the unified surface to the rings. “
“When the Sandips begin to form, they affect wind samples, add more sand and help to increase the doon,” the researcher at the University of Southampton said in a statement.
The small dunes move and grow quickly, You can go from zero to six centimeters in half an hour. In addition, they disappear as soon as they arise.
High Resolution Laser in Namibia Desert | University of Southampton
Joe Neel | University of Southampton
Discovery helps describe the formation of dune on Mars and other planets
This new theory was developed in conjunction with high resolution data collectedThe University of Paris To create a computational model that regenerates the dynamics of the Dunar structure.
This model has been able to certainly reconsider what researchers have observed in their field studies, even in arid situations such as Namibia, but also in humid situations such as Colorado (United States) or Norfok (United Kingdom).
The model team allows the team to adjust many parameters such as sand and air to understand different dune architectural scenes.
Authors believe that their invention also helps explain How do these dunes form Marte And in other planets.
