Skip to main content
Log in

Morphodynamic modeling of aeolian dunes: Review and future plans

  • Review
  • Published:
The European Physical Journal Special Topics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Sand dunes are ubiquitous in deserts, on coasts, on the sea bottom, and on the surface of Mars, Venus and Titan. The quantitative understanding of dune dynamics is thus of relevance for a broad range of physical, geological and planetary sciences. A morphodynamic model for dunes, which combines an analytical description of the average turbulent wind field over the topography with a continuum saltation model, has proven successful to quantitatively reproduce the shape of aeolian dunes of different types. We present a short review on the physics of dune formation and the model development, as well as some future plans for further developments and applications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. R.A. Bagnold, The Physics of Blown Sand and Desert Dunes (Methuen, London, 1941)

  2. S. Fryberger, G. Dean, A Study of Global Sand Seas (U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA, 1979), p. 137, prof. Pap., 1052

  3. H. Tsoar, Lect. Notes Phys. 582, 403 (2001)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. H. Tsoar, Physica A 357, 50 (2005)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. D.M. Rubin, R.E. Hunter, Science 237, 276 (1987)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. E.J.R. Parteli, O. Durán, H. Tsoar, V. Schwämmle, H.J. Herrmann, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 106, 22085 (2009)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. L. Ping, C. Narteau, Z. Dong, Z. Zhang, S. Courrech du Pont, Nat. Geosci. 7, 99 (2014)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. E.J.R. Parteli, O. Durán, M.C. Bourke, H. Tsoar, T. Pöschel, H.J. Herrmann, Aeolian Res. 12, 121 (2014)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. N. Lancaster, Sedimentology 36, 273 (1989)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. D. Zhang, C. Narteau, O. Rozier, S. Courrech Du Pont, Nat. Geosci. 5, 463 (2012)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. B. Andreotti, A. Fourrière, F. Ould-Kaddour, B. Murray, P. Claudin, Nature 457, 1120 (2009)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. G. Sauermann, K. Kroy, H.J. Herrmann, Phys. Rev. E 64, 31305 (2001)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  13. K. Kroy, G. Sauermann, H.J. Herrmann, Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 054301 (2002)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. K. Kroy, G. Sauermann, H.J. Herrmann, Phys. Rev. E 66, 031302 (2002)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  15. V. Schwämmle, H.J. Herrmann, Eur. Phys. J. E 16, 57 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  16. O. Durán, E.J.R. Parteli, H.J. Herrmann, Earth Surf. Proc. Landforms 35, 1591 (2010)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. P.S. Jackson, J.C.R. Hunt, Q. J. R. Meterol. Soc. 101, 929 (1975)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  18. W.S. Weng, J.C.R. Hunt, D.J. Carruthers, A. Warren, G.F.S. Wiggs, I. Livingstone, I. Castro, Acta Mech. (Suppl.) 2, 1 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  19. O. Zeman, N.O. Jensen, Risø National Laboratory M-2738 (1988)

  20. J.H. van Boxel, S.M. Arens, P.M. van Dijk, Earth Surf. Proc. Landforms 24, 255 (1999)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  21. B. Andreotti, P. Claudin, S. Douady, Eur. Phys. J. B 28, 341 (2002)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  22. B. Andreotti, P. Claudin, O. Pouliquen, Geomorphology 123, 343 (2010)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  23. S. Fischer, M.E. Cates, K. Kroy, Phys. Rev. E 77, 031302 (2008)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  24. G. Sauermann, P. Rognon, A. Poliakov, H.J. Herrmann, Geomorphology 36, 47 (2000)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  25. K. Kroy, X. Guo, Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 039401 (2004)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  26. J.D. Pelletier, J. Geophys. Res. 118, 2406 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  27. P. Hersen, S. Douady, B. Andreotti, Phys. Res. Lett. 89, 264301 (2002)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  28. C. Groh, A. Wierschem, N. Aksel, I. Rehberg, C.A. Kruelle, Phys. Rev. E 78, 021304 (2008)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  29. C. Groh, I. Rehberg, C.A. Kruelle, New J. Phys. 11, 023014 (2009)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  30. K. Kroy, S. Fischer, B. Obermayer, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 17, S1229 (2005)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  31. E.J.R. Parteli, O. Durán, H.J. Herrmann, Phys. Rev. E 75, 011301 (2007)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  32. M. Lämmel, A. Meiwald, K. Kroy [arXiv:1405.0624v1] (2014)

  33. L. Guignier, H. Niiya, H. Nishimori, D. Lague, A. Valance, Phys. Rev. E 87, 052206 (2013)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  34. B.T. Werner, Geology 23, 1107 (1995)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  35. A.R. Lima, G. Sauermann, H.J. Herrmann, K. Kroy, Physica A 310, 487 (202)

  36. E.J.R. Parteli, H.J. Herrmann, Physica A 327, 554 (2003)

    MathSciNet  MATH  ADS  Google Scholar 

  37. J.F. Kok, E.J.R. Parteli, T.I. Michaels, D. Bou Karam, Rep. Prog. Phys. 75, 106901 (2012)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  38. A.C.W. Baas, in Treatise on Geomorphology, edited by J. Shroder, N. Lancaster, D.J. Sherman, A.C.W. Baas, Vol. 11 (Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 2013), p. 313

  39. A. Fourrière, P. Claudin, B. Andreotti, J. Fluid Mech. 649, 287 (2010)

    MathSciNet  MATH  ADS  Google Scholar 

  40. F. Charru, B. Andreotti, P. Claudin, Annu. Rev. Fluid Mech. 45, 469 (2013)

    MathSciNet  ADS  Google Scholar 

  41. T. Pähtz, J.F. Kok, E.J.R. Parteli, H.J. Herrmann, Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 218002 (2013)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  42. G. Sauermann, J.S. AndradeJr., L.P. Maia, U.M.S. Costa, A.D. Araújo, H.J. Herrmann, Geomorphology 54, 245 (2003)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  43. E.J.R. Parteli, H.J. Herrmann, Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 198001 (2007)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  44. M.C. Bourke, N. Lancaster, L.K. Fenton, E.J.R. Parteli, J.R. Zimbelman, J. Radebaugh, Geomorphology 121, 1 (2010)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  45. E. Reffet, S. Courrech du Pont, P. Hersen, S. Douady, Geology 38, 491 (2010)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  46. K. Taniguchi, N. Endo, H. Sekiguchi, Geomorphology 179, 286 (2012)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  47. H. Tsoar, Sedimentology 30, 567 (1983)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  48. O. Durán, H.J. Herrmann, J. Stat. Mech. P07011, 1591 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  49. A. Katsuki, M. Kikuchi, N. Endo, J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 74, 878 (2005)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  50. E.J.R. Parteli, J.S. AndradeJr., H.J. Herrmann, Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 188001 (2011)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  51. H.P.M. Melo, E.J.R. Parteli, J.S. AndradeJr., H.J. Herrmann, Physica A 391, 4606 (2012)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  52. L. Guignier, A. Valance, D. Lague (2012), http://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00933534/

  53. H. Niiya, A. Awazu, H. Nishimori, Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 158001 (2012)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  54. H. Niiya, A. Awazu, H. Nishimori, Aeolian Res. 9, 63 (2013)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  55. H. Yizhaq, I. Katra, J.F. Kok, O. Isenberg, Geology 40, 459 (2012)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  56. D.M. Rubin, Earth-Sci. Rev. 113, 176 (2012)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  57. V. Schwämmle, H.J. Herrmann, Nature 426, 619 (2003)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  58. O. Durán, V. Schwämmle, H.J. Herrmann, Phys. Rev. E 72, 021308 (2005)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  59. O. Durán, V. Schwämmle, P.G. Lind, H.J. Herrmann, Granul. Matter 11, 7 (2009)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  60. H. Elbelrhiti, P. Claudin, B. Andreotti, Nature 437, 720 (2005)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  61. H. Elbelrhiti, B. Andreotti, P. Claudin, J. Geophys. Res. 113, F02S15 (2008)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  62. O. Durán, V. Schwämmle, P.G. Lind, H.J. Herrmann, Nonlinear Process. Geophys. 18, 455 (2011)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  63. M. Génois, S.C. Du Pont, P. Hersen, G. Grégoire, Geophys. Res. Lett. 40, 3909 (2013)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  64. S.L. Worman, A.B. Murray, R. Littlewood, B. Andreotti, P. Claudin, Geology 41, 1059 (2013)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  65. O. Durán, H.J. Herrmann, Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 188001 (2006)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  66. M.D. Reitz, D.J. Jerolmack, R.C. Ewing, R.L. Martin, Geophys. Res. Lett. 37, L19402 (2010)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  67. O. Durán, M.V.N. Silva, L.J.C. Bezerra, H.J. Herrmann, L.P. Maia, Geomorphology 102, 460 (2008)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  68. M.C.M.M. Luna, E.J.R. Parteli, O. Durán, H.J. Herrmann, Geomorphology 129, 215 (2011)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  69. O. Durán, L. Moore, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 110, 17217 (2013)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  70. M.C.M.M. Luna, E.J.R. Parteli, H.J. Herrmann, Geomorphology 159-160, 169 (2012)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  71. G. Kocurek, M. Townsley, E. Yeh, K. Havholm, M.L. Sweet, J. Sediment. Petrol. 62, 622 (1992)

    Google Scholar 

  72. E.J.R. Parteli, V. Schwämmle, H.J. Herrmann, L.H.U. Monteiro, L.P. Maia, Geomorphology 81, 29 (2006)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  73. H. Tsoar, N. Levin, N. Porat, L.P. Maia, H.J. Herrmann, S.H. Tatumi, V. Claudino-Sales, Quat. Res. 71, 217 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  74. T. Pähtz, J.F. Kok, H.J. Herrmann, New J. Phys. 14, 043035 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  75. M. Lämmel, D. Rings, K. Kroy, New J. Phys. 14, 093037 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  76. B. Andreotti, J. Fluid Mech. 510, 47 (2004)

    MATH  ADS  Google Scholar 

  77. M.P. Almeida, J.S. AndradeJr., H.J. Herrmann, Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 018001 (2006)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  78. M.P. Almeida, E.J.R. Parteli, J.S. AndradeJr., H.J. Herrmann, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 105, 6222 (2008)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  79. J.F. Kok, N.O. Renno, J. Geophys. Res. 114, D17204 (2009)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  80. O. Durán, B. Andreotti, P. Claudin, Phys. Fluids 24, 103306 (2012)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  81. M.V. Carneiro, N.A.M. Araújo, T. Pähtz, H.J. Herrmann, Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 058001 (2013)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  82. S.L. Namikas, Sedimentology 50, 303 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  83. X. Liu, Z. Dong, Geomorphology 60, 371 (2004)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  84. D. Beladjine, M. Ammi, L. Oger, A. Valance, Phys. Rev. E 75, 061305 (2007)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  85. K.R. Rasmussen, M. Sørensen, J. Geophys. Res. 113, F02S12 (2008)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  86. M. Ammi, L. Oger, D. Beladjine, A. Valance, Phys. Rev. E 79, 021305 (2009)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  87. A. Valance, J. Crassous, Eur. Phys. J. E 30, 43 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  88. M. Creyssels, P. Dupont, A.O. El Moctar, A. Valance, I. Cantat, J.T. Jenkins, J.M. Pasini, K.R. Rasmussen, J. Fluid Mech. 625, 47 (2009)

    MATH  ADS  Google Scholar 

  89. L. Kang, X. Zou, Geomorphology 125, 361 (2011)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  90. T.D. Ho, A. Valance, P. Dupont, A. El Moctar, Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 052301 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  91. J.D. Iversen, K.R. Rasmussen, Sedimentology 46, 723 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  92. K. Pye, H. Tsoar, Aeolian Sand and Sand Dunes (Uwin Hyman, London, 1990)

  93. V. Schwämmle, H.J. Herrmann, Earth Surf. Proc. Landforms 29, 769 (2004)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  94. A.D. Araújo, E.J.R. Parteli, T. Pöschel, J.S. AndradeJr., H.J. Herrmann, Sci. Rep. 3, 2858 (2013)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  95. D.R. Parsons, G.F.S. Wiggs, I.J. Walker, R.I. Ferguson, B.G. Garvey, Environ. Model. Softw. 19, 153 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  96. H.J. Herrmann, J.S. AndradeJr., V. Schatz, G. Sauermann, E.J.R. Parteli, Physica A 357, 44 (2005)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  97. V. Schatz, H.J. Herrmann, Geomorphology 81, 207 (2006)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  98. A.D. Ferreira, S.R. Pinheiro, S.C. Francisco, Environ. Fluid Mech. 13, 557 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  99. H. Tsoar, Geographys. 76, 144 (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  100. H. Tsoar, D.H. Yaalon, Sediment. Geol. 36, 25 (1983)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  101. O.L. Lange, DFG Forschung Magazin 4, 14 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  102. J. Belnap, Science 340, 1533 (2013)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  103. A. Karnieli, H. Tsoar, Int. J. Remote Sensing 16, 369 (1995)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  104. J.D. Williams, J.P. Dobrowolski, N.E. West, D.A. Gillette, Trans. ASAE 38, 131 (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  105. B. Marticorena, G. Bergametti, D. Gillette, J. Belnap, J. Geophys. Res. 102, 23277 (1997)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  106. J. Belnap, D.A. Gillette, J. Arid Environ. 39, 133 (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  107. T. Fischer, A. Yair, M. Veste, Biogeosci. Discuss. 9, 12711 (2012)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  108. R. Amir, S. Kinast, H. Tsoar, H. Yizhaq, E. Zaady, Y. Ashkenazy, J. Geophys. Res. 119, 437 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  109. S. Kinast, E. Meron, H. Yizhaq, Y. Ashkenazy, Phys. Rev. E 87, 020701(R) (2013)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  110. V. Schatz, H. Tsoar, K. Edgett, E.J.R. Parteli, H.J. Herrmann, J. Geophys. Res. 111, E04006 (2006)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  111. R.C. Kerr, J.O. Nigra, Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull. 36, 1541 (1952)

    Google Scholar 

  112. D.S.G. Thomas, M. Knight, G.F.S. Wiggs, Nature 435, 1218 (2005)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  113. H. Tsoar, in Treatise on Geomorphology, edited by J. Shroder, N. Lancaster, D.J. Sherman, A.C.W. Baas, Vol. 11 (Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 2013), p. 414

  114. H. Yizhaq, Y. Ashkenazy, H. Tsoar, Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 188001 (2007)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  115. H. Yizhaq, Y. Ashkenazy, H. Tsoar, J. Geophys. Res. 114, F01023 (2009)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  116. Y. Ashkenazy, H. Yizhaq, H. Tsoar, Clim. Change 112, 901 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  117. R. Baltaxe, Arch. Meteorol. Geophys. Bioklimatol. Ser. B 15, 3 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  118. J.D. Wilson, Boundary-Lay. Meteorol. 38, 37 (1987)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  119. S.J. Lee, H.B. Kim, J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerod. 80, 311 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  120. T. Tsukahara, Y. Sakamoto, D. Aoshima, M. Yamamoto, Y. Kawaguchi, Exp. Fluids 52, 877 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  121. K. Hatanaka, S. Hotta, Int. J. Numer. Meth. Fl. 24, 1291 (1997)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  122. J.D. Wilson, J. Appl. Meteorol. 43, 1392 (2004)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  123. J.L. Santiago, F. Martín, A. Cuerva, N. Bezdenejnykh, A. Sanz-Andrés, Atmos. Environ. 41, 6406 (2007)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  124. J.P. Bitog, I.B. Lee, M.H. Shin, S.W. Hong, H.S. Hwang, I.H. Seo, J.I. Yoo, K.S. Kwon, Y.H. Kim, J.W. Han, Atmos. Environ. 43, 4612 (2009)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  125. R.P. Savage, Coastal Engineering 1962, Proceedings of the 8th International Conference, Mexico City, Mexico (American Society of Civil Engineers, 1963), p. 380

  126. K.F. Nordstrom, N.L. Jackson, A.L. Freestone, K.H. Korotky, J.A. Puleo, Geomorphology 179, 106 (2012)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  127. S. Alhajraf, Environ. Model. Softw. 19, 163 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  128. A.D. Araújo, J.S. AndradeJr., L.P. Maia, H.J. Herrmann, Granul. Matter 11, 193 (2009)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  129. M. Veste, S.W. Breckle, S.W. Eggert, T. Littmann, Basic Appl. Dryland Res. 5, 1 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to E.J.R. Parteli, K. Kroy, H. Tsoar, J.S. Andrade Jr. or T. Pöschel.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Parteli, E., Kroy, K., Tsoar, H. et al. Morphodynamic modeling of aeolian dunes: Review and future plans. Eur. Phys. J. Spec. Top. 223, 2269–2283 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2014-02263-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2014-02263-2

Keywords

Navigation