Research Article| July 01, 1984 Evolution of the yardangs at Rogers Lake, California A. W. WARD; A. W. WARD 1U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar RONALD GREELEY RONALD GREELEY 2Department of Geology and Center for Meteorite Studies, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1984) 95 (7): 829–837. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1984)95<829:EOTYAR>2.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation A. W. WARD, RONALD GREELEY; Evolution of the yardangs at Rogers Lake, California. GSA Bulletin 1984;; 95 (7): 829–837. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1984)95<829:EOTYAR>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Yardangs are streamlined, wind-eroded hills common to most deserts. Yardangs at Rogers Lake, Mojave Desert, California, have streamlined forms characteristic of objects eroded by moving fluids, a teardrop shape that approaches an ideal 1:4 width-to-length ratio. In wind-tunnel simulations, miniature forms of various shapes changed sequentially by (1) erosion of the windward corners, (2) erosion of the windward slope, (3) erosion of the leeward corners and flanks, and (4) erosion of the leeward slope. Prominent mechanisms in yardang evolution apparently are abrasion at the windward end and deflation and reverse air flow near the middle and at the downstream end. Width-to-length ratios of yardangs are grossly similar to those of some fluvial and glacial streamlined landforms. The low kinetic energy of wind relative to ice and water, the erosional resistance to wind of most rocks, the rarity of long-term, unidirectional winds, and the presence of running water, topographic roughness, and vegetation all limit the abundance of yardangs. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.