Desert

Desert key terms etc

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  • Created by: lol
  • Created on: 03-05-12 19:48

Mesa

A flat table-like small land with steep edges

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Abrasion

Wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice.

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Flash Flood

The result of heavy or excessive amounts of rainfall within a short period of time

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Wadi

 Steep-sided valley

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Freeze-thaw weathering

  1. Water - eg from rainfall or melting snow and ice - becomes trapped in a crack or joint in the rock.
  2. If the temperature drops below freezing, the water will freeze and put pressure on the rock.
  3. The ice will melt when the temperature rises above freezing.
  4. If this process happens repeatedly, the rock will weaken and eventually shatter.
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Deflation

Process where wind erosion creates blowout depressions.

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Weathering

Processes by which rocks exposed to the weather undergo changes in character and break down.

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Desert arch

  1. Deep cracks penetrate into a sandstone layer.
  2. Erosion wears away exposed rock layers and enlarges the surface cracks, isolating narrow sandstone walls.
  3. The resulting holes become enlarged to arch proportions by rockfalls and weathering. 
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Mushroom Rock

Resembles like a mushroom, caused by wind erosion which progresses at a different rate at its bottom to that at its top.

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Sand Dune

A hill or ridge of sand accumulated and sorted by wind action.

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Yardang

Wind-sculptured hill-like rock

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Plateau

Land of uneven rocks

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Salt pan

A shallow pool of a depression in which water gathers and leaves a deposit of salt caused by evaporation

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