Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 14-5:
Dune
types.
Transverse dunes
In a region with high amounts of sand, transverse dunes create the appearance of waves
across a sandy sea. Transverse dunes are ridges of dunes lined up perpendicular to, or
crossing the direction of, wind flow. This type of dune is commonly found along the
coast, on beaches where the wind blows steadily toward land and there is plenty of
sand.
Longitudinal dunes
Longitudinal dunes also form in lines, similar to transverse dunes, but the lines of longit-
udinal dunes are parallel to (in the same direction of) wind flow. They most commonly
occur where wind direction changes slightly within a narrow range.
Star dunes
