High School Earth Science: Erosion and Deposition - Wind Erosion and Deposition — Flashcards

Wind erosion is a natural process that moves soil from one location to another by wind power. Soil transport by wind is commonly described in three distinct modes: suspension, saltation, and surface creep.
Deserts and seashores often have sand dunes. Sand dunes are small hills of sand deposited layer upon layer by the wind. For sand dunes to form there must be an abundant supply of sand and steady winds. A dune forms when a strong wind slows down—often when it blows over some type of obstacle, such as a rock or clump of grass—and drops its sand.   
Sand in beach dunes may vary in composition depending on their location. Beach dune sand is usually composed of quartz because in humid areas other minerals weather into clays. In the tropics, they may be composed of calcium carbonate. Sand in desert dunes may be composed of a variety of minerals. There is little weathering in deserts, so less stable minerals are left behind.