In this Geoshortqa we are going to know about types of Sand Dunes.
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| Types of Sand Dunes, Geoshortqa |
Sand Dunes Sand dunes are heaps of sand found in deserts . Generally , their heights vary from a few metres to 20m , but in some cases dunes are several hundred metres high and 5 to 8 km long .
The formation of sand dunes requires
• Wind of high velocity
• Abundant sand
• Obstacles such as trees , bushes , forests , rock outcrops , walls against , which dunes may settle
• Ideal places i.e. dune complex , dune colony or dune chain . Dunes formed due to obstacles like hushes , walls etc. are called nebkhas , where dune formed besides desert depressions are called lunettes.
Dunes are classified on the basis of morphology , structure , orientation , location , internal structure , ground pattern and number of slip faces .
These are the various types of sand dunes
a) Transverse Dunes are dunes deposited transverse to the prevailing winds direction . They are formed due to ineffective winds blowing along the coast and margins of deserts .
b) Parabolic Dunes are generally developed in partially stable sandy deserts . They are U - shaped and are much longer and narrower than barchans .
c) LongitudinalDunes are formed parallel to the wind movement . The windward slope of the dune is gentle whereas , the leeward side is steep . These dunes are commonly found at the heart of trade wind deserts like the Sahara , Australian , Libyan , South African and Thar deserts .
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| Longitudinal Dunes, Geoshortqa |
Longitudinal dunes are separated by reg or hamada which are sand free bare surfaces . The corridors so formed are called caravans.
d) Barchan: Crescent -shaped dune whose long axis is transverse to the dominant wind action
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| Barchan, Geoshortqa |
e) Star dune: • Large pyramidal or star- shaped dune.
• Has three or more slip- faces.
• Does not migrate along the ground, but grows vertically.
f) ) Dome: Mound of sand that is circular or elliptical in shape. Has no slipfaces.
g) Reversing: • Dunes that are intermediate between star and transverse dunes.
• Ridge is asymmetrical and has two slip-face.
h) Coastal dunes: • Forms when there is a large supply of beach sand and strong winds blowing from sea to shore.
• Beach area must be wide.
• Dissimilar from desert dunes in their form and shape and in the fact that they do not migrate.




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