Deserts and Winds

Bell-ringer: What is the difference between a

valley glacier and a continental glacier? How do
glaciers change the shape of the Earths surface?

Weathering
Most of the weathering in arid environments
is mechanical

Water in the Desert

Most streams are ephemeralthey only carry water after
it rains.
They never reach the ocean or water source due to
evaporation and infiltration

Alluvial Fans
fan-shaped
deposit of
sediment when
a streams slope
is suddenly less

Playa Lake
A flat area on
the floor of an
undrained desert
basin (playa)
that fills and
becomes a lake
after heavy rain

Landscape
Most erosion is done
by water
Wind is a bigger
factor in erosion
than most climates

Wind Erosion
Deflation: lifting and removal of loose
particles
Blowouts
Desert pavement: coarse layer of pebbles
and gravel due to removal of smaller
particles
Abrasion

Deflation

Wind Deposits: Loess

Deposits of windblown
silt
Blanket-like deposits
over large areas

Wind Deposits: Dunes

Mounds or ridges of sand deposits
Types of sand dune depends on:
Wind direction and speed
Sand available
Amount of vegetation