Sand dunes are rarely isolated. They form in large groups known as dune fields, whispering in the desert wind or flowing with the water on a seabed.
Now researchers have discovered that dunes communicate with their neighbors as they move across these landscapes — they can even push their neighbor dunes farther away, according to a paper published in the journal Physical Review Letters on Tuesday. The findings could help experts understand how dune movements affect infrastructure, which could be key in adapting to a changing climate.
