Global Dry Climate Distribution
Deserts Geologic processes in arid climates Weathering Not as effective as in humid regions Mechanical weathering forms unaltered rock and mineral fragments Some chemical weathering does occur Clay forms Thin soil forms
Deserts Geologic processes in arid climates Role of water in arid climates Streams are dry most of the time Desert streams are said to be ephemeral Flow only during periods of rainfall Different names are used for desert streams including wash, arroyo, wadi, donga, and nullah
Deserts Geologic processes in arid climates Role of water in arid climates Desert rainfall Rain often occurs as heavy showers Causes flash floods Poorly integrated drainage Most erosional work in a desert is done by running water
Desert Stream Channel
Deserts Basin and range: the evolution of a desert landscape Uplifted crustal blocks Interior drainage into basins produces Alluvial fans and bajadas Playas and playa lakes
Deserts Basin and range: the evolution of a desert landscape Erosion of mountain mass causes local relief to continually diminish Eventually mountains are reduced to a few large bedrock knobs called inselbergs projecting above a sediment-filled basin
Landscape Evolution in a Basin and Range Region
Deserts Wind erosion Deflation Abrasion Lifting of loose material Produces Blowouts Desert pavement Abrasion
Formation of Desert Pavement
Deserts Types of wind deposits Loess Deposits of windblown silt Extensive blanket deposits Primary sources are deserts and glacial stratified drift
Deserts Types of wind deposits Sand dunes Mounds and ridges of sand formed from the wind’s bed load Characteristic features Slip face – the leeward slope of the dune Cross beds – sloping layers of sand in the dune
Deserts Types of wind deposits Sand dunes Types of sand dunes Barchan dunes Transverse dunes Longitudinal dunes Parabolic dunes Star dunes
Sand Dune Types