Desert Landforms As A result Of Water Action

Question 1

Alluvial Fans Description

Answer 1

• Ephemeral rivers flowing out of mountains onto lower surfaces
• Temp river leaves silt deposited after evaporation
• Silt deposits as river emerges from mountains
• As it is flatter, and wider, increased friction results in deposition due to loss in velocity
• Drop in energy due to lateral spreading of water increases friction

Question 2

Wadis Description

Answer 2

• Steep sided rocky valley occurs on upper course
• Eroded from flash floods
• Heavy flash flood currents erode soft rocks causing wadis

Question 3

Badlands

Answer 3

• Vast uneven terrain w/ deep interlocking canyons
• result of wind and water erosion
• Found more in semi-arid areas
• Found in impermeable areas
• Intense rainstorms wash away surface mater, rapidly eroding rocks

Question 4

Mesas

Answer 4

• Steep sided isolated hill/rocks, rising above a flat/plain.
• Caused by differential erosion - Where isolated rock is hard/resistant and surrounding rock is soft
• Soft rock slowly cut back until only hard is left

Question 5

Buttes

Answer 5

-Smaller Mesa that has been almost completely eroded

Question 6

Inselgbergs

Answer 6

• Rounded smooth versions of Mesas, rising from Pediments
• Hard rocks that are more resistant than surrounding
• Surrounding soft rock eroded by wind and water erosion

Question 7

Pediments

Answer 7

• Gently sloping rock surfaces at the base of mountains
• Low angled, consisting of bare rock surfaces w/ boulders
• Formed by erosion of rock, whereby sediment is carried in flash floods
• Water removes all loose soil and sediment from rock face, to a lower and flatter point

Question 8

Salt Lakes

Answer 8

-Found in basins isolated between mountains
-From where endoreic rivers dry up
-Very flat and devoid of vegetation
-Endoreic rivers cry up, dissolved salt in water is then left after evaporation.
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