The role of maximum wind speed in sand-transporting events

•The role of maximum wind speed in sand-transporting events is revealed.•The maximum wind speed could represent the duration and the level of wind speed.•Sand transport flux could be predicted by monitoring the maximum wind speed.

A sand-transporting event is the minimum unit of aeolian sand transport process. To understand the role of maximum wind speed in such sand-transporting events, wind speeds were measured at a height of 2 m above the ground in the arid (Menggen) and semi-arid (Taibus Banner) regions in north China during 2009 and 2011. The sand transport flux of each sand-transporting event was calculated based on theoretical equations. Then, the relationships between the maximum wind speed and the average wind speed, the duration and sand transport flux of sand-transporting events were analyzed. It was found that the maximum wind speed was proportional to the average wind speed of sand-transporting events, with a linear model fit, and was also significantly correlated with the duration of sand-transporting events with a power model fit. The maximum wind speed was also positively correlated with sand transport flux of sand-transporting events according to a power model. The maximum wind speed could therefore represent both wind speed and the duration of sand-transporting events, and play a decisive role in the sand transport process of these events. The sand transport flux of sand-transporting events can be predicted rapidly and conveniently by monitoring maximum wind speed.