Saltation Activity at the Morgenstern Dunes of West Texas

The following file contains measurements of detected aeolian sand transport and meteorological conditions at a sandy site located 26.6 km west of the small town of Meadow, Texas (33.3214 -102.4908). Measurements were obtained continuously from 24 September 2002 to 1 May 2003. The sampling system consisted of a 2-m tall meteorological tower equipped with and an R. M. Young anemometer (model 05103) that provided wind direction, wind speed, standard deviation of wind speed and maximum gust. All wind variables were sampled at a frequency of 1 Hz and summarized every 5 minutes. Aeolian sand transport was detected with a Sensit piezoelectric saltation sensor. During periods of active saltation, the Sensit transducer produced a signal that was used as an indicator of aeolian sediment transport. Each pulse signal generated by a saltating grain that impacted the sensor was detected and if one or more impacts were detected during a given second then that second was registered as one "saltation second". At the end of each 5-minute period, saltation seconds were summed and the total was recorded. The total number of saltation seconds recorded during each five-minute period was then divided by 300 seconds to form a dimensionless parameter called saltation activity. Other meteorological variables such as air temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation were also measured at or near the site.