barchan

A crescent-shaped dune found in sandy deserts throughout the world where the wind is constant in speed and direction, and little vegetation is present. Barchans also occur fairly frequently in coastal regions; they are quickly shifted by the wind, particularly when small.

On the slip face of a barchan, sand avalanches occur when sand piles up beyond the angle of repose, which is about 34°.

Related category

• GEOLOGY AND PLANETARY SCIENCE

Source: Great Sand Dunes National Park, NPS

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