Definition
An elongate grouping of discrete dunes, usually barchans but sometimes dome dunes, that is oriented parallel to the dominant wind direction.
Synonyms
Barchan chain; Barchan convoy cluster; Barchan string; Barchan train; Dune stripe; Dune/barchan corridor; Longitudinal dune belt; Merging convoy
Description
Dune convoy is a term commonly used to describe barchan dune fields that elongate downwind for distances much greater than their crosswind width. As the convoy migrates, downwind dunes may grow or shrink depending on sand supply and collisions. When sand supply is small or limited (sand-starved), dune convoys can disappear some distance downwind of the source deposit, but when there is greater supply and/or collisions they can extend for hundred of kilometers (Elbelrhiti et al. 2008). Owing to different dune sizes within a convoy and the variation of dune celerity, they can collide, which is an important mechanism for dune size regulation (Diniega et al. 2010; Hugenholtz...
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References
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Diniega, S., Hugenholtz, C.H. (2015). Dune Convoy. In: Hargitai, H., Kereszturi, Á. (eds) Encyclopedia of Planetary Landforms. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3134-3_126
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3134-3_126
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