Minimal model for sand dunes.
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.
Kroy
Klaus
K
PMMH, Ecole Superieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielles, 10, rue Vauquelin, 75231 Paris, Cedex 05, France.
Sauermann
Gerd
G
Herrmann
Hans J
HJ