Wind Flashcards
What is wind erosion
It is the movement of soil, sand and small pieces of rock from one location to another by wind.
Where is wind more common
Wind is more common in places where there is a lot of sand, such as deserts and beaches
Why are deserts and semi deserts affected by sand erosion
- there is very little vegetation to hold sand particles together
- loose fine sand particles are transported easily by the wind
How does a vegetative cover reduce soil erosion
- it slows down surface runoff water, allowing rain water to soak into the ground
- the root of the plants hold the soil in position and prevent it from being blown or washed away
- plants break the impact of raindrops before they hit the soil, reducing the soils ability to be eroded
What are the ways wind transports sand
Soil creep, saltation, suspension
How does the wind erode
By abrasion
What is abrasion by wind
Soil particles become like ammunition on the wind, scratching and scraping rock surfaces away like sandpaper.
What are the features of erosion by wind
Desert pavements, deflation hollows, pedestals and yardangs
What is soil creep
Larger sand particles and small stones are rolled along the ground by the wind
What is saltation in wind transportation
Small particles of sand bounce along the ground. Alternating between suspension and creep
What is suspension in transportation by wind
Sand particles are carried along in the wind, parallel to the ground. They fall to earth when then wind dies down
How desert pavements form
The wind blows away all the fine sand particles in an area, leaving only rocks and stones behind.
How do deflation hollows form
The wind scoops small bowl shaped hollows in the ground
How do pedestals/ mushroom rocks form
Sand particles are blown agains rocks, eroding them at their bases.
How do Yardangs form
Ridges of harder rock which are eroded more slowly than the layers of softer rock
