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 Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X 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.