The Solid Earth - Chapter 4: Geologic Processes in Arid Climates

Question 1

Which is more common in a desert region: mechanical or chemical weathering?

Answer 1

Mechanical; chemical would be more associated with precipitation

Question 2

True or false: deserts do not undergo chemical weathering

Answer 2

False; they undergo less but still some

Question 3

Over long spans of time, clays and thin soils do form and many iron-bearing _____ minerals oxidize to produce the rust-colored stain found tinting some desert landscapes

Answer 3

silicate

Question 4

Desert streams are called ____ because they carry water on in response to specific episodes of rainfall

Answer 4

ephemeral

Question 5

True or false: desert climates sometimes host flash floods because there is no drain system due to the lack of vegetation

Answer 5

True

Question 6

What is one major reason that short-lived events could cause substantial erosion?

Answer 6

There is very little vegetation rooting the material to the ground

Question 7

Two names for ephemeral streams

Answer 7

wash

arroyo

Question 8

Desert streams lack an extensive system of _____ (re: drainage)

Answer 8

tributaries

Question 9

True or false: running water is infrequent but still responsible for most of the erosional work in deserts

Answer 9

True