DOI: 10.1140/epjb/e2002-00236-4 THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL B Selection of dune shapes and velocities Part 1: Dynamics of sand, wind and barchans

Abstract. Almost fty years of investigations of barchan dunes morphology and dynamics is reviewed, with emphasis on the physical understanding of these objects. The characteristic quantities measured on the eld (shape, size, velocity) and the physical problems they rise are presented. Then, we review the dynamical mechanisms explaining the formation and the propagation of dunes. In particular a complete and original approach of the sand transport over a flat sand bed is proposed and discussed. We conclude on open problems by outlining future research directions. PACS. 45.70.-n Granular systems { 47.54.+r Pattern selection; pattern formation