The physics of wind-blown sand and dust

TL;DR

This paper reviews the physical processes governing wind-blown sand and dust on Earth and other planets, including saltation, dune formation, dust emission, and storm triggers.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive synthesis of aeolian physics across multiple planetary environments, integrating recent findings and theories.

Findings

Detailed mechanisms of aeolian saltation

Insights into dune and ripple formation

Understanding of dust storm triggers

Abstract

The transport of sand and dust by wind is a potent erosional force, creates sand dunes and ripples, and loads the atmosphere with suspended dust aerosols. This article presents an extensive review of the physics of wind-blown sand and dust on Earth and Mars. Specifically, we review the physics of aeolian saltation, the formation and development of sand dunes and ripples, the physics of dust aerosol emission, the weather phenomena that trigger dust storms, and the lifting of dust by dust devils and other small-scale vortices. We also discuss the physics of wind-blown sand and dune formation on Venus and Titan.