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DESERT

The formation of deserts is influenced by several key factors: 1. Wind patterns - Many deserts form within 15-30 degrees north and south of the equator where trade winds blow offshore, carrying little moisture inward. 2. Ocean currents - Cold coastal currents inhibit rainfall over interior areas, leading to desertification in places like the Atacama Desert. 3. Rain shadows - Areas located on the leeward side of mountains receive little rain, as in the Gobi Desert. Weathering from wind, temperature variations, and occasional rainfall also breaks down rock and transports particles to form sand dunes over time.

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Mayank Sharma
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22 views1 page

DESERT

The formation of deserts is influenced by several key factors: 1. Wind patterns - Many deserts form within 15-30 degrees north and south of the equator where trade winds blow offshore, carrying little moisture inward. 2. Ocean currents - Cold coastal currents inhibit rainfall over interior areas, leading to desertification in places like the Atacama Desert. 3. Rain shadows - Areas located on the leeward side of mountains receive little rain, as in the Gobi Desert. Weathering from wind, temperature variations, and occasional rainfall also breaks down rock and transports particles to form sand dunes over time.

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Mayank Sharma
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19/10/2016 OneNote 

Online

Desert 
07 February 2016  03:19 

 
  
  
  
 
 
Discuss the factors that contribute in the formation of deserts. (200
Words) 
 
Desert refers to the regions having a little precipitation (below 25 cm annually)
and consequently hostile conditions for survival of plant and animal life. Deserts
can be hot and arid, semi­arid, coastal and cold and can be in plains or in
mountains. The formation of deserts is a long evolutionary process with agents
like wind and water playing an important part. 
 
1. Wind pattern. Most of the deserts are located within 15 to 30° north and
south of the equator. Here the trade winds blow offshore. The equatorial
winds that rose upwards from equator and when they descend at the tropics,
they have little moisture. Example: Sahara desert. 
2. Presence of cold currents. Most of the hot deserts are present along the West
Coast of continents as cold ocean currents along these coasts have a
desiccating effect on rainfall over interior areas. Example: Atacama Desert. 
3. Presence on the leeward side also causes little precipitation. It is also called
as Rain Shadow desert. Example: Gobi desert. Also absence of mountain to
cause orographic rain is also a cause. For example Aravalli is not able to
cause rainfall and consequently we have Thar. 
4. Polar areas have very cold air which does not cause precipitation frequently.
So they are also considered as cold desert. 
5. The formation of deserts is caused also due to weathering process. Winds
can blow freely in desert areas due to little vegetation and cause abrasion
effects. Temperature variations of hot days and cool nights have an
exfoliating effect on the outer surfaces. Occasional downpour also causes
weathering as water expands on being frozen. All of these cause faster
disintegration of rocks and particles are transported and deposited in sand
dunes. 
 
Desertification is on the rise in the world as a consequence of climate change and
human activities and steps need to be taken to check this. 

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