Circadian Rhythm of Dune‐Field Activity

Wind-blown sand dunes are both a consequence and driver of climate dynamics; they arise under persistently dry windy conditions, sometimes source for airborne dust. Dune fields experience extreme daily changes in temperature, yet the role atmospheric stability driving transport dust emission has not been established. Here, we report on an unprecedented multiscale field experiment at White Sands Field (New Mexico, USA), where by measuring wind, humidity temperature profiles atmosphere concurrently with sediment transport, demonstrate that rhythm arises from nonequilibrium boundary layer convection. A global analysis 45 dune confirms connection found situ between surface wind speed diurnal cycles, revealing unrecognized feedback may contribute to growth deserts Earth activity Mars.