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1.3.2 Shadow Dune

Any bush, tree, boulder or cliff, large or small, will cause sand to accumulate parallel to the wind on the leeside of the obstacle. The position of the shadow dune is controlled by and dependent on the obstacle which creates the zone of horizontal flow separation that results in deposition. The dune height depends on the width of the obstacle and the texture of the sediment. The slope of the lee side reaches the friction angle of the sediment and then slippage occurs resulting in a slip face.


Images
Anchoring effect of vegetation on sand dunes, New Mexico.
Anchoring effect of vegetation on sand dunes, New Mexico.
Original picture from the Ward Collection
Anchoring effect of vegetation on sand dunes, New Mexico. 

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