11.8 Fundamentals of Aeolian Sediment Transport: Aeolian Abrasion

Aeolian abrasion is the process whereby rocks and landforms are eroded by saltating particles, contributing to the formation of ventifacts, yardangs, deflation basins, and inverted relief. Sand is the predominant or sole abrasive agent. Abrasion is sensitive to the highest velocity winds in a region, which controls the directionality of ventifact features. As high-velocity winds are infrequent, many decades, centuries, or even millennia may be required for ventifact formation. Ventifacts, yardangs, and inverted relief are also common on Mars, and although abrasion is infrequent, the process does not require winds or atmospheric densities different than those found today.