Real barchan dune collisions and ejections
| dc.contributor.author | Hugenholtz, Chris H. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Barchyn, Thomas E. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2013-12-04T18:19:47Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2013-12-04T18:19:47Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2012-01-26 | |
| dc.description.abstract | From high-resolution satellite imagery of barchan sand dunes, we provide geomorphological evidence of collisions that result in the ejection of a barchan from the wake of another barchan dune. Previous interpretations suggest this outcome is evidence of soliton or solitary wave behaviour; however, the physical mechanisms for mass exchange are not fully understood, resulting in debate. Our evidence and interpretation indicates that mass is transferred to the upwind barchan by shadowing a portion of downwind barchan's stoss slope. Turbulent, unsaturated airflow erodes the surface between the dunes, creating a smaller dune that ejects from the wake region. Previous observations lacked the spatial resolution required to document this process; therefore, our observations clarify the collision dynamics of barchans. A broader implication of our observations is the role of collisions in maintaining an equilibrium size distribution in barchan swarms. | en_US |
| dc.description.peer-review | Yes | en_US |
| dc.identifier.citation | Hugenholtz, C.H., Barchyn, T.E., 2012. Real barchan dune collisions and ejections. Geophysical Research Letters 39, L02306. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10133/3327 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_CA | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Blackwell Publishing Ltd. | en_US |
| dc.publisher.department | Department of Geography | en_US |
| dc.publisher.faculty | Arts and Science | en_US |
| dc.publisher.institution | University of Lethbridge | en_US |
| dc.subject | Sand dunes--Erosion | en_US |
| dc.subject | Climate change | en_US |
| dc.subject | Sand dunes--Remote sensing | en_US |
| dc.subject | Geomorphology | en_US |
| dc.subject | Hydrology | en_US |
| dc.subject | Barchan swarms | en_US |
| dc.title | Real barchan dune collisions and ejections | en_US |
| dc.type | Article | en_US |