Abstract
We model formation and evolution of transverse dune fields. In the
model, only the cross section of the dune is simulated. The only
physical variable of relevance is the dune height, from which the dune
width and velocity are determined, as well as phenomenological rules for
interaction between two dunes of different heights. We find that dune
fields with no sand on the ground between dunes are unstable, i.e.,
small dunes leave the higher ones behind. We then introduce a saturation
length to simulate transverse dunes on a sand bed and show that this
leads to stable dune fields with regular spacing and dune heights.
Finally, we show that our model can be used to simulate coastal dune
fields if a constant sand influx is considered, where the dune height
increases with the distance from the beach, reaching a constant value.
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