Wind Erosion

1
Wind Erosion
2
Wind Erosion

• Little Power to Attack Solid Rock
• Most Effective in Moving Loose Material
• Mechanisms
• Suspension (Silt)
• Saltation (Sand)
• Rolling

3
Abrasion

• Ventifacts or Dreikanters
• Polishing,
• Undercutting
• Streamlining (Yardangs)

4
Sand Dunes
5
Loess

• Silt-sized
• Derived from Glacial Outwash in U.S.
• Found in U.S., E. Europe, China
• Parent material of worlds prime agricultural
  soils
• Available nutrients
• Fine size lots of surface area
• Cohesive good root support
• Porous retains water well
• No Rocks!!!!

6
Loess in the U.S.
7
Loess in Europe
8
Loess in China