Deserts

Question 1

Plateaus

Answer 1

Regions of higher elevation but lower relief

Question 2

Basin and Range

Answer 2

Geological feature; rugged mountain ranges separated by flat valley floors; form valleys/mountains; alluvial fans and pediments (erosial feature; gently sloping surface covered by gravel cut into solid rock of mountain); playa lakes

Question 3

Playa

Answer 3

dry and flat lake bed

Question 4

Colorado Plateau

Answer 4

4 cornered Geological Feature; not unique to deserts; flat beds of sedimentary rocks above sea level; PLATEAUS (broad, flat, topped areas above surrounding land and bounded by CLIFFS); marked by steep folds/monoclines

Question 5

Butte

Answer 5

Narrow hill of resistant rock with a flat top and steep sides; form by continued erosion of mesas (broad, flat topped hill bounded by cliffs and caped by resistant rock)

Question 6

Loess

Answer 6

sedimentary deposit of wind-blown silt and clay compose of unweathered grains of quartz/feldspar/rocks with calcite cement; can travel far and accumulate in other places than only desert

Question 7

Bajada

Answer 7

broad gently sloping depositional surface formed by the merging/coalescing of alluvial fans

Question 8

Inselberg

Answer 8

island mountain; resistant erosional remnant; pediments surround them

Question 9

Ventifact

Answer 9

desert rock with sand-blasted flat faces; caused by wind (AKA, are polished boulders)

Question 10

The PGF

Answer 10

force that occurs when there’s a difference in pressure