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Wake Induced Long Range Repulsion of Aqueous Dunes.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Bacik, Karol A 
Lovett, Sean 
Caulfield, Colm-Cille P 
Vriend, Nathalie M 

Abstract

Sand dunes rarely occur in isolation, but usually form vast dune fields. The large scale dynamics of these fields is hitherto poorly understood, not least due to the lack of longtime observations. Theoretical models usually abstract dunes in a field as self-propelled autonomous agents, exchanging mass, either remotely or as a consequence of collisions. In contrast to the spirit of these models, here we present experimental evidence that aqueous dunes interact over large distances without the necessity of exchanging mass. Interactions are mediated by turbulent structures forming in the wake of a dune, and lead to dune-dune repulsion, which can prevent collisions. We conjecture that a similar mechanism may be present in wind driven dunes, potentially explaining the observed robust stability of dune fields in different environments.

Description

Keywords

51 Physical Sciences

Journal Title

Phys Rev Lett

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0031-9007
1079-7114

Volume Title

124

Publisher

American Physical Society (APS)

Rights

All rights reserved