Wind erosion is a natural process that moves soil from one location to another by wind power. Wind erosion can be caused by a light wind that rolls soil particles along the surface through to a strong wind that lifts a large volume of soil particles into the air to create dust storms.

What causes wind erosion? Wind erosion can occur only when windspeed at the soil surface is sufficient to lift and transport soil particles. Sand moving across the soil surface wears away soil aggregates and thin crusts, causing more soil particles to become detached and to be blown away.

Water, wind, ice, and waves are the agents of erosion that wear away at the surface of the Earth.

Water and Wind Erosion Water erosion is the removal of soil by water and transportation of the eroded materials away from the point of removal. Wind erosion is caused by the action of the wind on the soil surface and is the process by which fine soil particles are carried away.

Examples of Wind Erosion:

• Sand Dunes. The erosion of sand dunes along the coast line is a serious concern, as the dunes help protect streets and waterways from flooding, especially during storms.
• Rock Formations.
• Canyons.

Reducing Wind Erosion The best way to reduce wind erosion is to keep the wind off the soil surface by covering the soil surface. Growing vegetation, either cash crops or cover crops, protects the soil and keeps the winds higher off the surface. Standing crop residues function the same way.

Wind erosion can result in a variety of types of movement of the soil. These three types different types include suspension, creep, and saltation. Suspension occurs when the wind takes fine particles of dirt and dust into the area and can move said particles over long distances.