The Physics of Wind Erosion and its Control1

Publisher Summary The chapter illustrates the movement and abrasion of soil by wind. Movement is initiated when the pressure of the wind against the surface soil grains overcomes the force of gravity on the grains. The grains are moved along the surface of the ground in a series of jumps known as saltation. The higher the grains jump, the more energy they derive from the wind. The concentration of saltating grains increases with distance downwind till, if the eroding field is large enough, it becomes the maximum that a wind of a particular velocity can sustain. The impacts of the saltating grains initiate movement of larger and denser grains and of smaller dust particles. The saltating grains collide against massive materials and other grains and cause disintegration of all involved. The solution of the problem is dependent on the overall progress made in research, testing, and extension.