Ability of wind to carry out geomorphological work is related to density of air, velocity of air and size and quantity of mineral particles being moved. Laminar sub layer- zone of little or now wind, thickness depends on roughness of surface. Laminar flow is replaced by turbulent flow in the lowest few meters of atmosphere. Threshold velocity- velocity required to entrain a particle of a given diameter, increases as square root of particle size Thus larger particles require more wind. Wind erosivity- the ability of wind to erode Terminal fall velocity- maximum rate at which a wind transported particle settles through the air Smallest and lightest particles are held in suspension Traction- how larger particles move(sand) Saltation- process by which sand particles follow curving paths determined by horizontal wind velocity and force of gravity, accounts for 75 to 80 percent of sediment transport by wind. Deflation- dust picked up by wind is removed form surface, it is fundamental process of Aeolian erosion. Induced deflation- occurs when short grass cover in a semi arid region is cultivated. Deflation hollow- typical landform produced by deflation is a this shallow depression. Desert payment- rock fragments are progressively concentrated on the surface eventually form this. Hammada- desert surface from which wind has removed most of the regolith, leaving only bedrock surfaces scattered with large rocks. Abrasion- particles moved by wind are effective at wearing away exposed rock surfaces(erosion) Ventifacts- rocks that have been shaped by abrasive action of wind. Dreikanters- stones with triangular appearance due to three curved facets. Sand dune- any mound of loose a sand modeled by wind, most commonly composed of quartz.
Bacchan dune- common type of sand dune that develops perpendicular to the wind. Traverse dunes- dunes take form of wavelike ridges separated by trough like furrows, like ocean waves creates are aligned at right angles to the direction of dominant wind. Parabolic dunes- characterized by a curving dune crest that is bowed outward in downwind direction, opposite curvature of barchans dunes. Hairpin dune- drawing the dune into a long, narrow form with parallel sides. Longitudinal dunes- develop where sand supply is more limited, form as long narrow ridges parallel to drieciton of prevailing wind. Star dunes- pyramidal sand mounds, with slip faces on three or more sides, which radiate from high central point. They grow in height rather than move laterally. Coastal foredunes- a narrow belt of dunes in the form of irregularly shaped hills and depressions typically develops on the landward side of sand beaches. Cover beach grass and other sever environments. Loess- deposits of wind transported silt that has settled out from dust storms. generally has a uniform yellowish color and is deposited as a homogenous mass with no apparent stratification. Fetch- distance of open water over which the wind acts. Shoreline- shifting line of contact between water and land. Coastline- shallow water zone in which waves perform their work, as well as beaches and cliffs shaped by waves and costal dunes. Marine scarp- steep bank. Pocket beach- wher softer rock will acumalte. 2 components of beach drift 1)Swash- powerful surge that moves materials toward land. 2)Backwash- how water returns to sea. Longshore drift- long shore current carries sand along seabed at an angle set up parallel to the shore. littoral drift- long shore drift and beach drift act together to move particles in same direction. Progradation- widening of beach. Retro gradation- occurs when sand is removed more rapidly than it is brought in , results in narrowing of the beach.
Gravitational component of suns tide generating force is about 46% of that of the moon. Geoid- refers to the shape of the earth that would assume if it were entirely covered with water and responding to the forces acting upon it. Lunar gravitational force- greatest at point on Earth directly beneath moon(sub solar point) Antipodal point- point farthest from moon, moons gravity weakest. Semidiurnal lunar tide, two high tides and two low tides each lunar tide. Period of 12.42horus. Spring tide- which have greatest range between high and low water.
Neap tides- tidal range between and high and low water is at lowest Diurnal tide- one high tide and one lwo tide. Mixed tide- two high tides and two low tides, but tidal ranges are not equial. Salt marsh- mud flats slowly build up to approximately the level of high tide. Submergence- type of coastline formed when two valleys submerge. Fjord coast- occurs where steep walle dgalcial trough have beensubmerged to produce long, narrow inlets of sea. Fault coast- formed when down faulted zone is flooded. Emergence- coast forms when underwater landforms are exposed by a drop in sea level or when earths crust is elevated. Lagoon- broad expanse of shallow water that is filled in places with tidal deposits. Delta- forms when sediment laden rivers enter the sea. Fringing reefs- built as platforms attached to shore Barrier reefs- lie offshore and are separated from mainland by a lagoon. Atolls- are more or less circular coral reefs enclosing a lagoon, but have no island inside, most built on foundation of volcanic rock.