Pseudo-Crosslamination Formed by Climbing Adhesion Ripples

Abstract

ABSTRACT Adhesion ripples, which are formed when saltating dry sand adheres to a wet sand surface, migrate upwind during deposition of the sand. The internal structure of climbing adhesion ripples resembles crosslamination, because stratification defining successive positions of the depositional surface is typically absent or very poorly defined. Deposits formed by these ripples are likely to be preserved, and, if well exposed, this structure may be distinguishable from crosslamination.