dune

In physical geography, a dune is a hill of sand built by wind or the flow of water. Dunes occur in different shapes and sizes, formed by interaction with the flow of air or water. Most kinds of dunes are longer on the windward side where the sand is pushed up the dune and have a shorter "slip face" in the lee of the wind. The valley or trough between dunes is called a slack. A "dune field" is an area covered by extensive sand dunes. Dunes occur, for example, in some deserts and along some coasts.
Some coastal areas have one or more sets of dunes running parallel to the shoreline directly inland from the beach. In most cases, the dunes are important in protecting the land against potential ravages by storm waves from the sea. Although the most widely distributed dunes are those associated with coastal regions, the largest complexes of dunes are found inland in dry regions and associated with ancient lake or sea beds.
Dunes can form under the action of water flow (fluvial processes), and on sand or gravel beds of rivers, estuaries and the sea-bed.
The modern word "dune" came into English from French circa 1790.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  • 564

    Stuart Wright

    AVForums Founder From Birmingham, UK
    • Messages
      17,040
    • Solutions
      1
    • Reactions
      14,015
    • Points
      7,651
  • 3

    DodgeTheViper

    Moderator From Inbetween Upgrades !
    • Messages
      29,970
    • Reactions
      18,393
    • Points
      7,947
  • 2

    raigraphixs

    Outstanding Member
    • Messages
      95,488
    • Reactions
      47,494
    • Points
      26,762
  • 2

    CARLOS

    Distinguished Member From WEST MIDLANDS
    • Messages
      8,513
    • Reactions
      2,033
    • Points
      1,724
  • 1

    845H

    Prominent Member 43 From London
    • Messages
      4,130
    • Reactions
      1,148
    • Points
      856
  • 1

    ziglar

    Established Member From Berkshire
    • Messages
      496
    • Reactions
      47
    • Points
      133
  • 1

    thestorm

    Established Member From East London, UK
    • Messages
      552
    • Reactions
      31
    • Points
      204
  • 1

    Matthew Attoe

    Prominent Member 53 From Norwich
    • Messages
      703
    • Reactions
      11
    • Points
      281
  • 1

    steve1966

    Distinguished Member From cumbria
    • Messages
      3,136
    • Reactions
      214
    • Points
      1,090
  • 1

    HeadBanger

    Prominent Member From Ashingdon
    • Messages
      3,009
    • Solutions
      1
    • Reactions
      893
    • Points
      651
  • 1

    fatrich

    Prominent Member 57 From halifax
    • Messages
      3,328
    • Reactions
      181
    • Points
      784
  • 1

    Xtrips

    Established Member 59
    • Messages
      99
    • Reactions
      3
    • Points
      27
  • 1

    Donnacha

    Distinguished Member From York
    • Messages
      10,770
    • Reactions
      7,879
    • Points
      3,009
  • 1

    Smurfin

    Distinguished Member
    • Messages
      22,502
    • Reactions
      5,376
    • Points
      4,193
  • 1

    Keiron

    • Messages
      3,410
    • Reactions
      128
    • Points
      915
  • 1

    alan8477

    • Messages
      633
    • Reactions
      22
    • Points
      215
  • 1

    BrynTeg

    Distinguished Member 49 From Aberteifi Cymru
    • Messages
      17,013
    • Reactions
      3,686
    • Points
      4,228
  • 1

    Peter Parker

    Distinguished Member From UK.
    • Messages
      14,739
    • Reactions
      4,920
    • Points
      2,877
  • 1

    Bert Coules

    Prominent Member
    • Messages
      3,854
    • Reactions
      276
    • Points
      883
  • 1

    sanj

    Established Member From Newport
    • Messages
      288
    • Reactions
      80
    • Points
      80
  • Back
    Top Bottom