Transformation of Aeolian Relief Forms under Wind Influence

Abstract

The interaction of the air flow with a surface consisting of sandy disjoint particles is considered. Taking into account their mobility on the surface allows one to describe the causes for increasing the stability of the particle layer adjacent to the air environment. The value of the threshold wind speed required for the removal of the particle increases due to the change in the pressure difference above and below the particle relative to the same value in a stationary state. The number of detached surface particles when the wind reaches the threshold values also increases. This fact allows one to explain one of the possible causes for the appearance of the well-known effective change in the gravity force acting on the layer with the growth of aeolian relief forms. For inclined surfaces, the balance for flows of particles falling and detached by the wind is disturbed due to the difference in resistance to the influence of the air flow. The differentiation of aeolian relief forms on the area with different intensities of wind removal makes it possible to estimate the relative increase in mass, which determines the optimal distance between the two structures for sustainable growth.