File:Benard cell.jpg

English: One of the most comnonly cited forms of morphodynamic processes involves the formation of hexagonally regular convection columns called Benard cells in shallow, evenly heated liquid. They form in liquid that is heated to a point where simple conduction of heat is insufficient to keep the liquid from accumulating more heat than it can dissipate. This creates instabilities due to density differences, and induces vertical currents due to weight differences. The heat dissipation rate increases via convection, which transfers the heat faster than mere passive conduction. The geometric regularity of these currents is not imposed extrinsically, but by the intrinsic constraints of conflicting rising and falling currents slowing the rate. These rate differentials cause contrary currents to regularly segregate and minimize this interference. Hexagonal symmetry reflects the maximum close packing of similar-size columns of moving liquid.