ARID ENVIRONMENTS

Question 1

What are the characteristics of hyper-arid areas?

Answer 1

Extremely dry with no rainfall for years.

Very few shrubs and nomadic pastoralism

Question 2

What are the characteristics of arid areas?

Answer 2

Infrequent and unreliable rainfall.
Some grasses, shrubs and trees.
Pastoral farming possible where there are perennial streams.

Question 3

What are the characteristics of semi-arid areas?

Answer 3

More reliable rainfall.
Usually a seasonal pattern of rainfall.
Arable farming possible and there is better vegetation.

Question 4

What causes aridity?

Answer 4

High latitude / pressure
Continentality
Rain shadow
Relief
Ocean currents / offshore winds

Question 5

What mechanical weathering takes place?

Answer 5

Granular disintegration
Block separation
Shattering
Exfoliation

Question 6

What chemical weathering takes place?

Answer 6

Hydrolysis
Oxidation
Crystallisation

Question 7

What other forms of weathering take place?

Answer 7

Wetting and drying

Hydration

Question 8

What wind processes take place and how does it transport?

Answer 8

Deflation
Abrasion
Attrition

Suspension
Saltation
Surface creep

Question 9

Which landforms occur from wind erosion?

Answer 9

Yardangs
Rock pedestals
Desert pavements
Ventifacts

Question 10

Which landforms occur from wind deposition?

Answer 10

Sand dunes

Question 11

Which landforms occur from water?

Answer 11

Alluvial fan
Playa lake / salt pan
Canyon
Wadi