Extreme Environments

Deserts Glossary

Key Word Definition

abrasion The “sand papering” effect of sand being blown around the desert

arid Extremely dry

blowout Large hollows scooped out by the wind

canyon Deep-sided valley

A dry, lifeless place without vegetation and very little life. They
desert can be hot or cold, their key feature is the very low levels of
rainfall.
When land gradually changes into a desert, usually because of
desertification
extreme climate change

drought Long periods of time without rain

erosion Wearing rocks away

freeze thaw At night, water goes into crack then freezes, expands and cracks
weathering the rock apart

isolation weathering Erosion of one particular rock more than others around it

A lifestyle that involves moving around according to the conditions

nomadic
to locate food and shelter
Fertile area formed when a hollow is deep enough to touch the
oasis
water table

plateau High, flat area of land

A flat expanse of ground with a covering of salt (resulting from

salt pan
the evaporation of a body of water)

sand dunes Ridges or mounds of sand

weathering Erosion of rocks caused by the weather conditions

xerophytes Specially adapted plant species for desert life, e.g. cactus

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