How does sand creep contribute to dune formation?

In the context of sand dune geology, sand creep is a critical mechanism for the transport of coarser particles. While most sand is moved by wind through saltation—a process where grains jump along the surface—these saltating grains bombard the surface, providing the energy necessary to keep coarser particles in motion via creep.1

Surface creep contributes to dune formation and growth by facilitating the movement of these larger grains along the ground. As wind velocity adjusts upon reaching a small patch of sand, it deposits material, allowing a dune to initiate and grow. Once a dune is established, the process of erosion on the windward slope and deposition on the leeward slope—often involving the movement of sand up the face and down the slip face—maintains the dune's equilibrium and allows it to migrate forward over time.12