Definitions and technical terms for hot deserts

Question 1

Definition of Abrasion

Answer 1

process of wind erosion.
concentrated close to the ground surface.
involves particles of sand being picked up by the wind and blasted against rock outcrops.

Question 2

aridity

Answer 2

the dryness of an area.
arid and semi arid deserts have an aridity index of less than 0.2.

Question 3

desertification

Answer 3

formally productive land that has become a desert.
occurs due to a lack of vegetation with roots binding the soils, allowing wind erosion to occur.

Question 4

rain shadow effect

Answer 4

some deserts are located on leeward (sheltered) sides of mountains ranges. Rainfall is concentrated on the windward slopes (due to moist air forced to rise up and over the mountain range) leaving the drier sheltered sides in a rain shadow.

Question 5

salinisation

Answer 5

the build up of salts around the roots of plants.