Arid Landscape Development (AQA A Level Geography)
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Identify the wind-eroded landform in the illustration.
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Identify the wind-eroded landform in the illustration.
The wind-eroded landform in the illustration is a ventifact.
What is the distinguishing feature between a yardang and a zeugen?
Both yardangs and zeugens form in the same way, but the layers of resistant and less resistant rock lie in different directions.
With yardangs, the rocks lie vertically.
The rocks lie horizontally in zeugens.
What does the term aeolian mean?
The term aeolian means relating to or arising from the action of wind.
Describe a pedestal rock.
A pedestal rock, also known as a mushroom rock, is an aeolian (wind)-eroded desert landform with a broad, hard-capped top and a narrower base of alternating bands of resistant and less resistant rock.
What is a sand sheet?
A sand sheet is a flat area of sand with grains that are too large to saltate (bounce).
What is the definition of a barchan dune?
A barchan dune is a crescent-shaped sand dune formed at right angles to the prevailing wind in one direction, with horns that curve towards the slip face.
What is a wadi?
A wadi is a dry stream channel in a desert that quickly fills after rain, often leading to dangerous flash floods.
What is an inselberg?
An inselberg is an isolated, monolithic rock that rises abruptly from a gently sloping or virtually level surrounding plain. Examples include Uluru, Australia and Spitzkoppe in the Namib Desert.
True or False?
Wind erosion is the main factor in the formation of canyons.
False.
Canyons are formed primarily by water erosion over millions of years.
What is a playa?
A playa is a dry, vegetation-free, flat area at the lowest part of an undrained desert basin, sometimes containing deposits of salt or gypsum.
What are alluvial fans?
Alluvial fans are cones of sediment that rivers deposit onto a plain as they leave mountain ranges.
True or False?
Mesas are taller than they are wide.
False.
Buttes are taller than they are wide. Mesas are wider than they are tall.
True or False?
Desert landscapes remain unchanged over time.
False.
Desert landscapes change over time due to various processes and inputs.
Define the term pluvial.
Pluvial is a term referring to a period of increased rainfall or a characteristic of rainfall.
What does basin and range topography refer to?
Basin and range topography refers to landscapes where past tectonic faulting has occurred through extension, deformation and sedimentation, creating alternating mountain ranges and valleys
State the meaning of Pleistocene.
The Pleistocene is the geological epoch that lasted from about 2 588 000 to 11 700 years ago, spanning the world's most recent period of repeated glaciation.
Where is a piedmont zone found?
A piedmont zone is an area at the foot of a mountain or mountain range.
What is meant by an interglacial period?
An interglacial period is a warmer period between ice ages or glacial periods.
What were conditions like in deserts during the last glacial maximum?
During the last glacial maximum about 20,000 years ago, aridity was widespread, with cold deserts in the north. In the south, deserts existed in similar locations to the present day but were more extensive.
True or False?
All desert landforms were created under current climatic conditions.
False.
Many current desert landforms began to develop during pluvial periods several thousand years ago.
What were desert climates like 8 000 years ago?
About 8 000 years ago, during an interglacial period, desert climates were warmer and more humid. Forests thrived and were widespread, and many present-day deserts were grasslands.
State the time period when conditions in deserts became similar to today.
Conditions in deserts became similar to today about 3 000 years ago.