Issue |
Europhys. Lett.
Volume 69, Number 3, February 2005
|
|
---|---|---|
Page(s) | 365 - 370 | |
Section | Electromagnetism, optics, acoustics, heat transfer, classical mechanics, and fluid dynamics | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1209/epl/i2004-10366-3 | |
Published online | 24 December 2004 |
Non-aeolian sand ripples
CPMOH (UMR5798), U. Bordeaux 1 - 351 cours de la Libération 33405 Talence, France
Received:
1
September
2004
Accepted:
24
November
2004
By examining the initial stages of the impact of a granular jet on a flat horizontal solid surface we evidenced the existence of oscillatory sand fronts. These oscillations give rise to a novel mechanism for the formation of ripples on sand surfaces. We here show that as the front advances, its slope changes periodically in time, leaving behind a succession of surface elevations and depressions. A key feature of these oscillations is the interplay between the deposition of mobile sand and the avalanching of the static parts giving rise to a remarkable self-regulating system. These features come out naturally from a simplified version of recently proposed models for the dynamics of sand piles.
PACS: 45.70.-n – Granular systems / 45.70.Ht – Avalanches / 45.70.Qj – Pattern formation
© EDP Sciences, 2005
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