Saltation (geology)

Saltation refers to the jump point transport of sand grains with a grain size of 70-500 microns and 70-100 microns (modified saltation ). Moreover, the term refers to both the fine clastic sedimentary material on the bottom of a river bed and the aeolian formation of dunes on land.

Upon impact of a grain of sand on the ground energy is transferred to the surrounding sand grains, this jump high and thus follow a parabolic trajectory ( reptation ). This trajectory is due to the wind direction and gravity. The transport speed is depending on the substrate. For rough surfaces, the transport slowed by friction losses. This growing small sand accumulations in self-reinforcement to dune formation.

The sand grains are deposited during their transport in the lee of obstacles, such as a dune. This leads to a dune hike.

Only by the impact saltierender grains finer particles can be released from the soil composite. These are transported in short-term suspension ( particles with diameter 20-70 microns ) over several kilometers. Even smaller particles (< 20 microns in diameter ) can be used as particulate matter in the atmosphere enormous distances to travel (long-term suspension). In dust storms they lead to environmental, economic and health problems.