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Relations between aerodynamic and surface roughness in a hyper‐arid cold desert: McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
Author(s) -
Lancaster Nicholas
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
earth surface processes and landforms
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9837
pISSN - 0197-9337
DOI - 10.1002/esp.1073
Subject(s) - surface finish , surface roughness , geology , arid , wind tunnel , roughness length , aerodynamics , hydraulic roughness , planetary boundary layer , boundary layer , geotechnical engineering , geomorphology , meteorology , wind speed , materials science , mechanics , wind profile power law , geography , composite material , physics , oceanography , paleontology
Abstract Studies of boundary‐layer winds and surface roughness characteristics of unvegetated rocky desert surfaces provide new insights into the relations between aerodynamic roughness and surface roughness, as described by the roughness density ( λ ). The description of non‐erodible roughness by the roughness density ( λ ) is shown to be valid for rocky surfaces as well as sparsely vegetated surfaces and simulated surfaces in a wind tunnel. There is a good relation ( r 2 = 0·71) between aerodynamic roughness and roughness density ( λ ), allowing use of the threshold friction velocity ratio to predict sediment transport rates on these surfaces. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.