GPHY 102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Aeolian Processes, Geomorphology, Wind Speed

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Geography
• Course: GPHY 102
• Professor: Dr.Trezino

Document Summary

Wind (cid:149) geomorphic processes associated with wind are termed aeolian. (cid:149) as with water (fluvial processes) this includes erosion, transportation and deposition. (cid:149) wind speed and materials are determinant factors. Two fundamental categories: deflation and abrasion: deflation is the movement of loose particles by wind. Includes lifting of particles aloft and shifting along the surface: abrasion is the erosion of rock and other consolidated materials by wind-transported sediments. Airborne sand and dust particles driven by wind in a natural form of sandblasting. Not all deserts are warm- aeolian processes occur in arid polar settings as well. Aeolian transport (cid:149) aeolian transport of materials similar to fluvial transport - just much less efficient! (cid:149) finest particles carried in suspension as dust. Strong turbulent winds can lift and carry thousands of tonnes of suspended dust (cid:149) larger particles are moved by traction and saltation. Traction is transport along ground by rolling or sliding.