Recent developments in the dynamics of wind-erosion

Abstract

Those particles of the Earth's land-surface that are in contact with the atmosphere are at the mercy of two powerful natural forces, resulting from water- and air-flow. The story a single soil-grain could tell of its travels would surpass that of Marco Polo. It is unfortunate that one cannot “get the story” and thus answer many questions that are in the minds of those who wish to explain and control its behavior. The transport of granular material by fluids has been a subject of intense interest, especially in connection with flowing water. A great number of investigations have been made, both in the laboratory and in streams, on the effects of water-erosion and the underlying mechanisms of the movement of debris. As a result, at least for some phases of the process, explanations and empirical rules have been developed.