A sand wave is frequently defined as a type of usually a large, ridge-like bathymetric feature, called a '' bedform'', that is created by the interaction between underwater unidirectional currents with noncohesive, granular

sediment Sediment is a solid material that is transported to a new location where it is deposited. It occurs naturally and, through the processes of weathering and erosion, is broken down and subsequently sediment transport, transported by the action of ...

, e.g.,

silt Silt is granular material of a size between sand and clay and composed mostly of broken grains of quartz. Silt may occur as a soil (often mixed with sand or clay) or as sediment mixed in suspension (chemistry), suspension with water. Silt usually ...

sand Sand is a granular material composed of finely divided mineral particles. Sand has various compositions but is usually defined by its grain size. Sand grains are smaller than gravel and coarser than silt. Sand can also refer to a textural ...

, and

gravel Gravel () is a loose aggregation of rock fragments. Gravel occurs naturally on Earth as a result of sedimentation, sedimentary and erosion, erosive geological processes; it is also produced in large quantities commercially as crushed stone. Gr ...

and lies transverse to the flow of these currents. There exists a lack any universally accepted classification scheme among sedimentologists, geologists, and other Earth scientists that precisely defines the difference between sand waves and similar bedforms, such as ripples, megaripples, subaqueous

dune A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, flat ...

s, and sediment waves. In some classification systems, antidunes are known as ''regressive sand waves'' and sand waves are classified as a type of dune. Sand waves are typically customary defined and thought of as part of a gradational continuum of bedforms that change with increasing current velocity and changes in the associated turbulence of the flowing water. According to some commonly used classification systems, this progression of bedforms, with increasing current velocity consists of current ripples, dunes (which includes sand waves), plane-beds, and antidunes. This progression is actually more complicated then this because the type of bedform associated with a particular current velocity is also determined by the size and mixture of either the silt, sand, or gravel being transported by the current.Southard, J., 2003. ''Surface forms''. In Middleton, G. V., ed., pp. 703–712. ''Encyclopedia of Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks''. Dordrecht, Kluwer Academic, 928 pp. McKee, E.D., 1964. ''Glossary of Primary Sedimentary Structures''. In Middleton, G.V., ed, pp. 247-252. ''Primary Sedimentary Structures and Their Hydrodynamic Interpretation''. ''Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists Special Publication'', 12. Tulsa, Oklahoma, Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, 265 pp.

Tidal sand wave

In case of a tidal sand wave, also named tidal dune, it is a large, ridge-like bathymetric feature (bedform) that is created by the interaction of oscillatory tidal currents with noncohesive, granular sediment, e.g., silt, sand, and gravel. They can be as much as high and have wavelengths of . This type of sand wave typically have smaller ridge-like bedforms, either dunes or megaripples, resting upon and actively migrating across it. The imbalance in the flow of opposing tidal currents is reflected in the degree of asymmetry of the sand wave. When the opposing tidal currents are balanced, a tidal sand wave will be symmetrical and very slowly, if at all migrate across the bottom. With increasing imbalance of the opposing tidal currents, a tidal sand wave will migrate at increasing rates across the bottom and exhibit increasing asymmetry in form. In addition, its migration rate will change with spring/neap tidal cycles.Allen, J.R.L., 1980. ''Sand waves: a model of origin and internal structure''. ''Sedimentary geology'', 26(4), pp.281-328. doi=10.1016/0037-0738(80)90022-6Collinson, J., Mountney, N., and Thompson, D., 2006. ''Sedimentary Structures'', 3rd ed. Harpenden, United Kingdom, Terra Publishing, 292 pp.

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Sedimentology Patterned grounds Sedimentary structures {{Sedimentology-stub

Tidal sand wave

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