The Physics of Blown Sand and Desert Dunes (1941) is a science book, written by Ralph A. Bagnold. The book laid the foundations of the scientific investigation of the transport of sand by wind. It also discusses the formation and movement of sand dunes in the Libyan Desert. During his expeditions into the Libyan Desert, Bagnold had been fascinated by the shapes of the sand dunes, and after returning to England he built a wind tunnel and conducted the experiments which are the basis of the book. The book is still a main reference in the field, and was, for instance, used by NASA for studying sand dunes on Mars. It was recently reissued by Dover.
Famous quotes containing the words physics, blown, sand and/or desert:
“It is hardly to be believed how spiritual reflections when mixed with a little physics can hold people’s attention and give them a livelier idea of God than do the often ill-applied examples of his wrath.”
—G.C. (Georg Christoph)
“They change, and we, who pass like foam,
Like dust blown through the streets of Rome,
Change ever, too; we have no home,”
—John Masefield (1878–1967)
“The desert encroaches on the garden. No matter. Sand will do as well as flowers.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“Three people marooned on a desert island would soon reinvent politics.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)