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Height distortion and the sedimentation of dust on topographic scale models: Considerations and simulations
Author(s) -
Goossens Dirk
Publication year - 1989
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.3290140619
Subject(s) - loess , distortion (music) , sedimentation , geology , scale (ratio) , deposition (geology) , aeolian processes , meteorology , geomorphology , sediment , cartography , geography , computer science , computer network , amplifier , bandwidth (computing)
The study focuses on the effect of height distortion of a scale model on the sedimentation of natural dust (loess) on that model, when dust storm simulation experiments are conducted in a wind tunel. A scale model of a very simple topographic feature (symmetrical hill) has been used first. Both the air‐flow field over the hill and the loess deposition pattern on the hill are examined in detail for four different height distortion cases. Later on, the effect of height distortion in complex topography in discussed. The results of the experiments indicate that height distortion has an important effect on both the air‐flow field and the loess sedimentation pattern. Height distortion must therefore, in principle, be avoided, unless it is necessary to meet the flow simulation requirements during the experiment or to intensity the contrasts in the sedimentation pattern on the scale model surface. For complex, hilly topography, a not‐too‐excessive height distortion may be allowable (especially in the case of very high horizontal scale reductions), but for open areas, where topographic features are situated relatively far from each other, great care must be taken in extrapolating wind tunnel results to the field.