Planetary dunes tell of otherworldly winds

Eos, American Geophysical Union
By: , and 

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Abstract

Dune fields are common on beaches and in deserts—think of the imposing sand hills and sinuous ripples of the Sahara in Africa or the Karakum in Central Asia, for example—as well as underwater on the beds of rivers, lakes, and oceans. The varied shapes, sizes, and orientations of both modern dunes and those preserved in the geologic record tell of the conditions under which they formed, particularly the strengths and patterns of winds and ocean currents. This information offers us valuable windows into environments and climates at different places and at different times in Earth’s history.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Planetary dunes tell of otherworldly winds
Series title Eos, American Geophysical Union
DOI 10.1029/2021EO210684
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Contributing office(s) Astrogeology Science Center
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