Aeolian landform

Aeolian landform is a feature of the Earth's surface produced by either the erosive or constructive action of the wind. It must be noted, however, that this process is not unique to earth, and it has been observed and studied on other planets, most notably Mars [cite web|url=http://www.cnrt.scsu.edu/content/students/uria/presentations/URIA2k/Deithra%20.pdf|title=Aeolian Processes and Landforms|last=L. Archie|first=Ms. Deithra|work=New Mexico State University|pages=2|accessdate=2008-08-06] .

Terminology

The word derives from Æolus, the Greek god of the winds, and the son of Hellen and the nymph Orseis, and a brother of Dorus, Xuthus and Amphictyon.cite web|url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0000049|title=Aeolian landform|publisher=The Canadian Encyclopedia|accessdate=2008-08-06]

Mechanism

In aeolian processes, wind transports and deposits particles of sediment. Aeolianfeatures form in areas where wind is the primary source of erosion. The particlesdeposited are of sand, silt and clay size. The particles are entrained in byone of four processes. Creep is when a particle rolls or slides across the surface. Liftis when a particle rises off the surface due to the Bernoulli effect, the same mechanismwhich causes aircraft to rise. If the airflow is turbulent, larger particles are trajected by a process known as saltation. Finally, impact transport occurs which one particle strikesanother causing the second particle to move.

Erosional Landforms

Wind eroded landforms are rarely preserved on the surface of the Earth except in aridregions. Elsewhere, moving water erases the Aeolian landforms. There are severaltypes of landforms associated with erosion: lag deposits, ventrifacts, yardangs andpans.Large basins are complex and there is often one or more non-aeolian processes work. These non-aeolian processes include tectonics, glacial and alluvial forces.

References

ee also

*Landform
*Erosion
*Aeolus
*Aeolian processes
*Dune
*Barchan
*Blowouts
*Ventifact
*Yardang
*Desert pavement
*Erg
*Loess
*Médanos
*Playa
*Sandhill