Aeolian Processes Flashcards
What does Aeolian refer to?
Wind - and it’s role in erosion, transportation and deposition
Where will you see faster winds?
At steeper pressure gradients
T/F:
The faster the wind, the stronger it is
TRUE, it has greater power of denudation
Where is Aeolian Erosion most evident?
In areas with fewer streams or glaciers
water has a greater force, wind is not as effective
Where do you find Desert Pavement?
Desert Pavement/Armor
Arid = Deserts
Aeolian Processes = evident in desert locations (slow moving process)
Describe Blowout Depressions
- used to be covered by vegetation, which was disturbed
- wind picks up loose particles, down to consolidated layer
What is an Abrasion?
Particles transported by wind hitting other surfaces (sand blasting)
Ventifacts: intense abrasion evidenced closer to ground (tree shape)
Yardangs: type of ventifact (shaped by abrasion)
3 Types of Aeolian Transportation
Suspension
Saltation
Surface Creep
Suspension
Dust Storm/Haboob
- abrupt “top”/”front”
- transportation by suspension
- Dust Devils/Dust Cloud
Deposition
Occurs when there is insuffiencient energy to continue transportation
- Dunes
- Loess
Dunes
not “fixed” features
-move around the landscape
-Windward Slope: facing winds that move the sand - Saltation
Slipface: other side - Mass Wasting
3 Types of Dunes
Crescentic
Linear
Star
Crescentic Dune
Wind coming from 1 dominant direction
Linear dune
Wind coming from 2 directions
Star dunes
Wind coming from multiple directions (3+)
