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Minimal Model for Sand Dunes

Klaus Kroy·Gerd Sauermann·Hans J. Herrmann
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Abstract

We propose a minimal model for aeolian sand dunes. It combines an analytical description of the turbulent wind velocity field above the dune with a continuum saltation model that allows for saturation transients in the sand flux. The model provides a qualitative understanding of important features of real dunes, such as their longitudinal shape and aspect ratio, the formation of a slip face, the breaking of scale invariance, and the existence of a minimum dune size.

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Klaus Kroy, Gerd Sauermann, Hans J. Herrmann. 2002-03-02. Minimal Model for Sand Dunes. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.88.054301

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