Lake Michigan Coastal Dunes
 Calvin College Home

Lake Michigan Coastal Dune Home
Introduction to Lake Michigan Coastal Dunes
Features and Types of Dunes
Wind, Sand and Coastal Dunes
Climate, Dune, Lake and Seasonal Factors
Methods, Results and Research Students
References and Links to More Information


 
Winter Processes - Niveo-aeolian processes


Niveo-aeolian processes include the transport and deposition of mixtures of sand and snow. (Niveo means snow.) These processes produce some of the most striking features of the winter dune landscape.

Niveo-aeolian transport occurs when both snow and sand are blown by the wind or when sand is transported by the wind over snow. Snow and sand are transported together when
a) wind erodes an existing snowcover and down into the sand beneath the snow, and
b) a storm with snow and strong winds blows the falling snow around as it erodes dune surfaces.

 


Niveo-aeolian deposit: note layering of sand and snow. (North Beach Park parabolic dune in January 2005.)

Niveo-aeolian deposition occurs when layers or mixes of sand and snow are deposited at a dune location. The source of the sand is an upwind exposed (snow and ice free) location. The pattern of sand deposited on a fresh snowcover can indicate the direction and distance of sand transport. The layers of sand, snow and sand-snow mixes in a niveo-aeolian deposit indicate the history of the deposit.

The snow and ice in a niveo-aeolian deposit provide internal cohesion that allows unique winter dune topography. When the snow and ice melt, the sand in the deposit is lowered onto the underlying dune surface. (These processes are described on the next two pages.)

Winter Processes: previous page / next page / Return to Winter Processes home page

 

 

Questions or Comments? Contact the webmaster.
Last updated 03/23/10.