Sources of Energy: Deserts Flashcards
What is insolation?
The solar radiation that reaches Earth
Why is insolation high in deserts? 2 reasons
Usually no clouds
Rays hit at high angles
What do high levels of insolation cause?
High daytime temperatures but nights are still cold
What do high inputs of energy from insolation cause?
Water evaporates quickly, leaving the ground very dry
Why is runoff a source of energy?
Due to the lack of plants so more surface runoff and exposed rock due to high temperatures.
Why are winds a source of energy?
Created by air moving from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure
What does prevailing wind mean?
Wind consistently blowing from same direction
What does prevailing wind cause?
More sediment erosion and transport
What does the lack of vegetation in deserts mean in terms of wind?
Wind can blow long distances without obstruction
What are 2 sediment sources in deserts?
Weathering of the underlying material
Wind - dust derived from the wind and deposited as loess
What are landforms?
Natural or human formed structure on the surface of the Earth.
What is geomorphology?
The study of the land and processes that cause the land to be shaped
What is the sediment budget?
The difference between sediment entering and leaving the desert.
What does net sediment loss mean?
When areas dominated by erosion
What does net sediment gain mean?
Areas that are dominated by transportation and deposition
