Cross‐sectional profiles of sand ripples,megaripples, and dunes: a method for discriminating between formational mechanisms |
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| Authors: | James R Zimbelman Steven H Williams Andrew K Johnston |
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| Institution: | 1. Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, National Air and Space Museum, MRC 315, Smithsonian Institution, , Washington, DC, USA;2. Education Division, National Air and Space Museum, MRC 310, Smithsonian Institution, , Washington, DC, USA |
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| Abstract: | Cross‐sectional profiles of sand ripples, megaripples, and sand dunes provide a useful tool for discriminating between formation by ripple and dune processes. Feature width, defined as the basal break in slope along the profile to either side of the crest, represents a good standard for comparison of profile attributes across more than three orders of magnitude. Aspect ratio (height/width) as a function of log width separates measurements into clusters representing differing mechanisms of formation. Scaling both height and distance for individual profiles by feature width facilitates comparison of profile shapes across three orders of magnitude in width. The data presented here should prove useful for evaluating possible mechanisms of origin for aeolian features observed remotely, including on planetary bodies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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| Keywords: | topography sand ripples granule ripples megaripples reversing dune transverse dunes |
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