Aeolian transport on Earth, Mars, and other planetary bodies is a complex process that is difficult to observe in the field and challenging to predict with models. Despite significant advancements in instrumentation and computational techniques, the foundational theories developed by R.A. Bagnold in the 1930s remain highly influential. This presentation will examine the contributions of Bagnold, who initiated his pioneering research on windblown sand during Royal Navy operations in the Libyan desert. Lacking an established community of aeolian researchers, Bagnold collaborated with fluvial sedimentologists to develop methods for measuring and modeling sand transport by wind. He constructed the first wind tunnel for the experimental study of aeolian processes, enabling him to quantitatively and qualitatively assess key phenomena, including modes of sand transport, velocity profiles, thresholds of motion, and the dynamics of particle impact and ejection. Bagnold’s work successfully scaled these small-scale processes to broader understandings of sand transport, dust lifting, and dune formation. By the end of his career, his research extended to marine sediment transport, fluvial dynamics, and aeolian processes on Mars, influencing the study of wind-driven sediment transport across multiple disciplines. This talk will explore Bagnold’s fundamental observations, the assumptions underlying his models, and the enduring impact of his work on contemporary sediment transport research.
Christy Swann – Decoding Windblown Sand: the Life, Science and Legacy of R.A. Bagnold
