Overview

In this section you will find materials that support the implementation of EarthComm, Section 9: Wind and the Landscape.

Learning Outcomes

• Plan and carry out investigations to test the factors that affect the erosion of sediment by wind.
• Analyze data to explain the relationship between wind velocity and size of particles moved by wind.
• Use a model to examine the effects of windblown particles on rocks.
• Use a model to determine how windblown sediment is deposited.
• Obtain information about the locations of Earth’s wind-dominated landscapes.

Inquiring Further

1. To learn more about the features of wind-dominated environments, visit the following web sites:
   
   Wind Erosion at White Sands, NPS
   Examines the erosion and depositional features of the White Sands desert in New Mexico.  Includes description and example of a yardang.
   
   Dune Types in the Field, NPS
   Examples of dunes found in Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.  Includes description and example of a barchans dunes.
   
   Types of Dunes, USGS
   Provides examples of the different types of dunes found in wind-dominated environments, including linear (longitudinal) dunes.
   
   Eolian Processes, USGS
   Overview of eolian erosion and deposition processes. Includes descriptions of ventifacts, yardangs, barchans dunes, and linear (longitudinal) dunes.  

Yardangs, USRA
Description of yardangs and why they are of interest to geologists studying the surface of Mars.

Remote Sensing of Arid Lands, USGS
Deserts are remote and inhospitable environments. Being able to monitor them without being in direct physical contact is extremely useful. Remote-sensing instruments in Earth-orbit satellites measure radar, visible light, and infrared radiation. See images take from space of Earth's arid lands.

2. To learn more about loess deposits, visit the following web sites:
   
   Loess, Encyclopedia Britannica
   Describes the nature of loess, it's formation, thickness and extent.

Soil Forming Factors, USDA
Describes different soil forming factors.

Geology of Loess Hills Iowa, USGS
Read how the topography of Iowa is strongly influenced by the deposition of fine-grained sediment blown by the wind.

Eolian Dust and Loess Data Sets, NOAA
List of data sets for further research on loess and eolian dust.

3. To learn more about wind erosion and deposition in your community, visit the following web sites:
   
   Map of surface Deposits in Eastern and Central United States, USGS
   Search through the records for loess in central and eastern United States.

Resources

To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:

Types of Dunes, USGS
Provides examples of the different types of dunes found in wind-dominated environments, including linear (longitudinal) dunes.

Eolian Processes, USGS
Overview of eolian erosion and deposition processes. Includes descriptions of ventifacts, yardangs, barchans dunes, and linear (longitudinal) dunes.

Sand on the Move, NPS
Describes the movement of particles by wind and the formation of dunes.

Tour of Park Geology - Sand Dunes, NPS
Links to all National Park Service Parks that have sand dunes as a common geologic theme. 

National Park Geology - Death Valley Sand Dunes, NPS
An example of an environment dominated by aridity and the transport of sediment.

Deserts: Geology and Resources, USGS
Examines deserts, where and how they form, types of deserts, desert features, as well as mineral resources in deserts.

Quantifying Erosion of Loess in China, Science
Learn how much loess is removed from China's Loess Plateau as a result of farming practices. Where does the loess go?