News Physics Dune leapfrogging is deciphered By Peter Weiss December 16, 2003 at 11:14 am - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Physicists have unraveled how certain wind-driven sand dunes in Morocco and Peru apparently tunnel through slower dunes. SAND SLAM. In a computer simulation, a windblown dune overtakes and seems to pass through a larger dune. Schwämmle et al./Nature Barchan dunes are massive, crescent-shaped sand piles that move across wind-swept deserts at speeds up to tens of meters per year.