10.2 Desert Landforms Flashcards
Abrasion
The grinding and erosion of rock caused by the impact of rock particles carried by wind, water, or ice.
Barchan dune
A solitary, crescent-shaped dune.
Deflation
The lifting and removal of loose material by wind.
Desert pavement
A surface of tightly-packed rocks formed when wind removes fine sediments, leaving only rocks behind.
Dune
A hill or ridge of wind-deposited sand.
Ephemeral stream
A steam that follows for only part of the year. Also called a wash, an arroyo, or a wadi.
Loess
Wind-deposited silt.
Longitudinal dune
A dune made of long, parallel ridges that run parallel to the wind direction.
Parabolic dune
A U-shaped dune with “horns” pointing upwind.
Saltation
The movement of sand grains along Earth’s surface by a series of bounces or jumps.
Slip face
The steeper, downwind slope of a dune.
Transverse dune
A dune made of long, parallel ridges that run perpendicular to the wind direction.
