Quantifying the Form‐Flow‐Saltation Dynamics of Aeolian Sand Ripples

Abstract Ripples are the most fundamental and ubiquitous aeolian bedforms formed on sandy surfaces, but their small size and fast response times make them inherently difficult to measure. However, these attributes also make ripples excellent flow indicators, and they have been used extensively in planetary locations for this purpose. Here, we use terrestrial laser scanning to measure ripple morphometry and celerity coincidently, as well as saltation height above rippled surfaces. We find that although ripple height and wavelength respond linearly to increased shear velocity, under strong winds ripple celerity exhibits a non‐linear increase. This relationship at high wind speeds is also reflected in the response of aerodynamic roughness and saltation dynamics, with a greater maximum saltation height present over ripple lee slopes. Importantly, when using ripple patterns as indicators of flow conditions, celerity or height should be used in preference to wavelength as their dynamics respond faster to changing wind speed. In planetary and stratigraphic settings where measuring celerity is not possible, wavelength should be considered as indicative of consistent wind conditions rather than the full range of sand transporting wind speeds.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research Earth Surface
Published
2025-10-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2025jf008616
Primary Topic
Aeolian processes and effects
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Quantifying the Form‐Flow‐Saltation Dynamics of Aeolian Sand Ripples

Philippe Claudin, Giles Wiggs, Martin Hipondoka, Matthew Baddock et al.
Journal of Geophysical Research Earth Surface
Aeolian processes and effects
article

Quantifying the Form‐Flow‐Saltation Dynamics of Aeolian Sand Ripples

Philippe Claudin, Giles Wiggs, Martin Hipondoka, Matthew Baddock, Jim Best, Kenneth T. Christensen, Don W. Goss, Pauline Delorme, Nathaniel Bristow, Natasha S. Wallum, Joanna M. Nield, Andrew Valdez
article en

Abstract

Abstract Ripples are the most fundamental and ubiquitous aeolian bedforms formed on sandy surfaces, but their small size and fast response times make them inherently difficult to measure. However, these attributes also make ripples excellent flow indicators, and they have been used extensively in planetary locations for this purpose. Here, we use terrestrial laser scanning to measure ripple morphometry and celerity coincidently, as well as saltation height above rippled surfaces. We find that although ripple height and wavelength respond linearly to increased shear velocity, under strong winds ripple celerity exhibits a non‐linear increase. This relationship at high wind speeds is also reflected in the response of aerodynamic roughness and saltation dynamics, with a greater maximum saltation height present over ripple lee slopes. Importantly, when using ripple patterns as indicators of flow conditions, celerity or height should be used in preference to wavelength as their dynamics respond faster to changing wind speed. In planetary and stratigraphic settings where measuring celerity is not possible, wavelength should be considered as indicative of consistent wind conditions rather than the full range of sand transporting wind speeds.

Journal of Geophysical Research Earth SurfaceVol. 130(10)
Science Museum of Minnesota (US), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), National Park Service (US), University of Denver (US), Loughborough University (GB), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US), Université Paris Cité (FR), University of Namibia (NA), Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (FR), Sorbonne Université (FR), University of Oxford (GB), Astrobiology Center (JP), Physique et Mécanique des Milieux Hétérogènes (FR), Laboratoire de Géologie de l’École Normale Supérieure (FR), University of Southampton (GB), University of Colorado Denver (US), ESPCI Paris (FR)
National Science Foundation, National Geographic Society, British Society for Geomorphology, Ministry of Environment, Natural Environment Research Council
Openalex Percentile: Top 70%
Aeolian processes and effects
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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