Wind turbulence is responsible for creating the dunes and giving them the power to move and reform. Similar to turbulence in the trough of the longshore current, wind turbulence picks up sand grains and flings them forward in a series of long, low leaps called saltation. Sand grains are also propelled forward in surface creep, which is caused by saltating grains striking stationary grains and transferring the forward motion to the stationary grains. Together, these two processes give the sand dunes their marauding character.

The forward motion of the sand is arrested when the in-flight sand grains pass over the crest of a dune. Again, similar to turbulence in the longshore current, the wind turbulence subsides in the quiet air of the lee side of the dune and the grains fall to the leading edge of the dune advancing the dune forward in the direction of the prevailing winds.

Sand dunes in the Provincelands are parabolic dunes, shaped like a drawn bow with the fitted arrow as an indication of the prevailing wind direction. Marauding dunes have buried houses, roads and forests in the past. Current re-vegetation efforts aim to stabilize these dunes.

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