Download Deserts

Deserts
Desert features are usually not on the provincial exam, but these are some
elements that I have seen on past provincial exams!
1. What is a desert? What are some common characteristics among deserts? (pp.
61)
_______PPT LESS THAN PRECIPITATION. SPARSE VEGETATION DUE TO LACK OF
VEGETATION, STRONG WINDS BLOW DAILY AS CONVECTION CURRENTS ARE
CREATED BY THE EXTREME HEARTING OF THE SUN, AND FLASH FLOODS
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_
Factors Contributing to Deserts (Define and provide a visual for each) (pp.61)
Latitude : ____HIGH PRESSURE DRY
Mountain Barriers: ______________WINDWARD SIDE PPT-LEEWARD SIDE DRYT____
______
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Ocean Influence: _____WARM AIR MEETS COLD OVER SEA-PPT TAKES PLACE,
WHEN AIR MOVES ON LAND IT IS TOO DRY_____________ ________
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Wind Erosion in Deserts (pp. 62 and pp. 63)
Define the following erosional processes and provide a diagram for each.
\Abrasion: _____ Erosion of bedrock caused by rock particles that are carried by water, w
wind, or glacial ice is known as abrasion (B) which is also known as corrasion.________
______________
________________________________________
Suspension : ________MOVEMENT OF PARTICLES SUSPENDED IN AIR (REMEMBER
RIVERS?)__________ ____________
________________________________________
Saltation : ______ saltation is the movement of rock fragments by bouncing or hopping a
earth's surface by running water or wind.____________ ______________
________________________________________
________________________________________
Deflation: __ is a gradual lowering of the desert floor due to wind erosion.
________________ ______________
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Corrosion is the dissolving of soluble minerals by water in streams or waves; common
in humid areas underlain by limestone rocks.
Water Erosion in Deserts
Define the following term and provide a diagram for it. (see Desert diagram below
as well!)
Alluvial Fan: when the water reaches the flat land at the base of a mountain, the velocity
flow diminishes
And deposition takes place in a fan shaped feature __________________ _________
Features associated with Deserts
Loess: __ __wind blown dust______________ ______________
\_____________________________________
Playa and Playa Lake:
_______desert lake___________ ___________________
______________________________________
Label the diagram below and give a quick definition only for the boxes with
numbers:
1) ____Erg-shifting sand dunes
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___
2) _plateau-an area of high level ground in a
desert_________________________________________________________________________
_______________
3) _Mesa-flat table toped
feature________________________________________________________________________
________________
4) Butte-smaller than mesas due to erosion____
_______________________________________________________________________________
____________
5) __Wadi-the dry ditches that channel water out to the desert floor and contain
water only during flash floods_
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_____________
6) ___bolson-desert basin (lowland) filled with debris
_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________
7) ___bajada-large alluvial
fans___________________________________________________________________________
_________________