Chapter 21: Problem 6

Explain the ways in which desert winds transport sediment.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Desert winds transport sediment through three main processes: saltation, suspension, and surface creep. Saltation, the primary method, involves the movement of sand particles by the wind through short leaps or bounces. Suspension carries finer particles, such as silt and clay, in the air for longer distances. Surface creep involves the rolling or sliding of larger particles along the ground, influenced by wind and the momentum of saltating particles. These processes play a significant role in shaping and reshaping desert landforms like sand dunes and desert pavements.

Step by step solution

Introduction to Desert Winds and Sediment Transport

Desert winds play a significant role in transporting sediment. As they blow across the desert surface, they pick up small particles, such as sand, and transport them from one location to another, shaping and reshaping dunes and other desert landforms. There are three primary ways in which desert winds transport sediment: saltation, suspension, and surface creep.

Explain Saltation

Saltation is the primary method of sediment transport in deserts. It involves the movement of sand particles by the wind through a series of short leaps or bounces. When wind blows over the desert surface and its speed exceeds a certain threshold, it lifts the sand particles and carries them forward. As the wind speed fluctuates, the particles fall back to the ground and rebound, leading to a series of jumps. The height of these jumps typically ranges from a few millimeters to a few centimeters. Saltation moves the majority of sand-sized particles in deserts and contributes to the formation of sand dunes.

Explain Suspension

Suspension is the process by which finer particles, such as silt and clay, are picked up by the wind and carried in the air for longer distances. These particles can remain airborne for extended periods, sometimes even for days, before they finally settle down in a different location. Suspension contributes less to the total volume of desert sediment transport than saltation, but it plays a significant role in the transport of finer particles, which can influence the formation of sand dunes, desert pavement, and other desert features.

Explain Surface Creep

Surface creep is another way through which wind transports sediment in deserts. In this process, larger sand particles, too heavy to be picked up by the wind, roll or slide along the ground under the influence of wind and the momentum of saltating particles. As these saltating particles impact the larger grains, they transfer their energy, causing the larger particles to move. Surface creep generally moves a smaller volume of sediment compared to saltation but contributes to the overall sediment transport.

Conclusion

In summary, desert winds transport sediment through three main processes - saltation, suspension, and surface creep. Saltation involves the movement of sand particles through a series of short leaps or bounces, while suspension carries finer particles in the air for longer distances. Surface creep moves larger particles by rolling or sliding along the ground. These processes play a significant role in the formation and reshaping of desert landforms such as sand dunes and desert pavements.

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Explain the ways in which desert winds transport sediment.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Introduction to Desert Winds and Sediment Transport

Explain Saltation

Explain Suspension

Explain Surface Creep

Conclusion

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