Desert Processes and Landforms

Desert a definition

A virtually barren area of land where precipitation is minimal and sporadic, limiting vegetation growth. The mean annual rainfall is usually below 10 in.

A Desert is defined as a region that has less than 254 mm (10 in) of annual rainfall or precipitation. Antarctica can be classified as a desert by this definition.

Auster Rookery, Antarctica

Global Air Circulation

The differential heating allows air to circulate globally. Air is heated at the equator and rises; cools at the poles and sinks .

Why do the deserts form?

At about 20-30 N and S latitude, dry, cool air sinks toward the surface, building a stable region of high pressure air which is quite dry.

Desert Types
1. Subtropical: Sahara, Kalahari - Africa 2. Polar: Dry valleys in Antarctica

3. Rain Shadow: Western US: Mojave, Great Basin

4. Continental: Gobi - Mongolia 5. Coastal: Baja, Namib - Africa

Polar Deserts

Subsiding dry air; stable high pressure

Rainshadow Deserts
Air rises over mtns. precip. Dry air over interior

Continental Deserts

Dry subsiding air

The Gobi desert in Mongolia was formed this way.

Coastal Deserts

Hot desert, cold ocean; lowered moisture

Much of the Namib desert in southern Africa is a coastal desert formed because of the cold Benguela Current.

The work of wind

Deflation removal and lifting of individual loose particles Abrasion grinding of rock surfaces by particles - sandblasting

Sand movement processes

Desert Pavement

Caused by deflation

Desert Pavement

Ventifacts