[1] Desert booming can be heard after a natural slumping event or during a sand avalanche generated by humans sliding down the slip face of a large dune. The sound is remarkable because it is composed of one dominant audible frequency (70 to 105 Hz) plus several higher harmonics. This study challenges earlier reports that the dunes' frequency is a function of average grain size by demonstrating through extensive field measurements that the booming frequency results from a natural waveguide associated with the dune. The booming frequency is fixed by the depth of the surficial layer of dry loose sand that is sandwiched between two regions of higher compressional body wave velocity. This letter presents measurements of the booming frequencies, compressional wave velocities, depth of surficial layer, along with an analytical prediction of the frequency based on constructive interference of propagating waves generated by avalanching along the dune surface. Citation: Vriend, N. M., M. L. Hunt, R.

Desert sand dunes rarely occur in isolation, but usually form vast dune fields. The large-scale dynamics of these fields is hitherto poorly understood, not least due to the lack of long-time observations. Theoretical models usually abstract dunes in a field as self-propelled autonomous agents, exchanging mass, either remotely or as a consequence of collisions. In contrast to the spirit of these models, here we present experimental evidence that aqueous dunes interact over large distances without the necessity of exchanging mass. Interactions are mediated by turbulent structures forming in the wake of a dune, and lead to dune-dune repulsion, which can prevent collisions. We conjecture that a similar mechanism may be present in wind-driven dunes, potentially explaining the observed robust stability of dune fields in different environments.

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[1] Two snow avalanches that occurred in the winter 2010-2011 at Vallée de la Sionne, Switzerland, are studied using a new phased array FMCW radar system with unprecedented spatial resolution. The 5.3 GHz radar penetrates through the powder cloud and reflects off the underlying denser core. Data are recorded at 50 Hz and have a range resolution better than 1 m over the entire avalanche track. We are able to demonstrate good agreement between the radar results and existing measurement systems that record at particular points on the avalanche track. The radar data reveal a wealth of structure in the avalanche and allow the tracking of individual fronts and surges down the slope for the first time.

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