2 TYPES OF LONGITUDINAL-DUNE FIELDS AND POSSIBLE MECHANISMS FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT

Longitudinal dune fields characterized by nearly uniform interdune spacing are distinguished from longitudinal dune fields characterized by fairly variable interdune spacing and high frequencies of dune coalescence. The empirical and theoretical evidence indicating that the former may be due to helical air currents aligned with the dunes is reviewed. Hypotheses arguing that the latter may arise indirectly from horizontal pressure gradients or bidirectional wind regimes are discussed. Evenly spaced linear sand banks aligned with tidal currents may be shown mathematically to result from energy optimalization within two-dimensional, sand-transporting flow regimes, and a similar simple or non-rotational flow model is considered for the problem of desert longitudinal dunes. An initial complex or rotational flow analysis is undertaken to discern the likely significance of roll vortices in desert sediment transport. An 'evolutionary timescale' is estimated for the formation of desert longitudinal dune fields. A simple analysis is performed for the effect of regional sand mass change on longitudinal dune field ordering. Recommendations are made for future empirical and theoretical research.