Coastal Parabolic Dunes

Coastal Parabolic Dunes is an original illustration set in Southeastern Baltic Coast. It lies in high latitudes, where the climate is warm-summer humid continental.

A large dune curves inland with two vegetated arms trailing back toward the sea. A bare pale tongue of sand extends between them, advancing into dark wind-pruned pine forest. Low bands of marram grass fix the outer edges. The light is cool and northern.

Why do this dune's horns trail behind instead of leading?

A parabolic dune is a barchan turned inside out: vegetation anchors the arms while the unvegetated middle keeps moving inland, so the horns trail behind instead of leading. It only happens where there is enough moisture to grow grass but enough wind to outrun it. Pine forest with a coastal dune field advancing into it marks a cool, humid coast with a strong onshore wind.

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