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L23 Sand dunes and wind ripples. Death Valley National Park. California,
USA
Position:
N036° 23'
W116° 45' approx.
Elevation:
sea level - approx.
Image format:
MF
SAND DUNES & WIND RIPPLES
A complex but peaceful image showing the interaction of the LITHOSPHERE,
ATMOSPHERE, HYDROSPHERE and BIOSPHERE in this arid desert area
of Death Valley National Park, California, USA.
The big mass of CLOUD over the distant mountains shows that there
is abundant WATER VAPOR in the air but only at cooler elevations
does it CONDENSE to form rain drops large enough to reach the
earth's surface without EVAPORATING.
The SAND DUNES indicate that there is a) abundant SEDIMENT ; b)
a lack of VEGETATION to bind and stabilize it and c) WIND ACTION
sufficient to move the sediment around.
The RIPPLE MARKS show the presence of MICRO-CLIMATES in the system
- light winds making their own impression of the surface of the
sand dunes.
See the fossilized ripple marks in the image L35 in the regolith.com library.
Less detail
Image Trail:
L35 Fossilized ripple marks. Capitol Reef National Park. Utah, USA
L40 Arid desert. Mexican Hat. Utah, USA
L46 Fossilized ripple marks on titled rock beds. Cornwall, UK
L72 White Gypsum Sand, White Sands National Monument, New Mexico,
USA
L73 Fossilized sand dunes, Navajo Sandstone, Zion National Park,
Utah, USA
H1 River in an arid area. Fremont River, Capitol Reef National Park.
Utah, USA
Links:
www.geology.uvm.edu/vtlandforms/gl_rippl.htm
www.geology.sdsu.edu/visualgeology/geology101/riplmrks.htm
http://www.aqd.nps.gov/grd/parks/deva/index.htm
http://165.83.32.34/grd/usgsnps/deva/devaft.html |
