Download Glossary of Geology Terms: Eolian Processes and Desert Landforms and more Quizzes Geography in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 Eolian DEFINITION 1 The work of wind- erosion, transportation, and deposition TERM 2 Deflation DEFINITION 2 Removal and lifting of individual loose particles TERM 3 Abrasion DEFINITION 3 Grinding of rock surfaces by the "sandblasting" of particles captured in the air TERM 4 Desert pavement DEFINITION 4 Protects underlying sediment from further deflation and water erosion. Where deflation blows away loose sediment and works with rainwater to form a surface resembling a cobblestone street. TERM 5 Blowout depressions DEFINITION 5 Basin formed by deflation. Chemical weathering removes the cementing materials that give particles their cohesiveness TERM 6 Vertifacts DEFINITION 6 Rocks that have evidence of eoliaan erosion- appear pitted, fluted (grooved), or polished. Aerodynamically shaped in a specific direction. TERM 7 Yardangs DEFINITION 7 Distinctive, elongated ridges or formations that can range from meters to kilometers in length and many meters in height. Formed from deflation and abrasion. TERM 8 Saltation DEFINITION 8 Wind transport of grains (same term used to describe movement of particles in water) TERM 9 Surface creep DEFINITION 9 How particles too big for saltation move- by sliding and rolling TERM 10 Dune DEFINITION 10 Wind-sculpted accumulation of sand TERM 21 Bajada DEFINITION 21 A continuous apron of coalesced alluvial fans, formed along the base of mountain in arid climates; presents a gently rolling surface from fan to fan TERM 22 Basin and Range Province DEFINITION 22 A region of dry climates, few permanent streams, and interior drainage patterns in the western United States; a faulted landscape composed of a sequence of horsts and grabens TERM 23 Desertification DEFINITION 23 Expansion of Earth's deserts TERM 24 Bolson DEFINITION 24 Slope-and-basin area between the crests of two adjacent ridges in a dry region of internal drainage TERM 25 Salinity DEFINITION 25 Concentration of natural elements and compounds dissolved in solution, as solutes; measured by weight in parts per thousand in seasater TERM 26 Brine DEFINITION 26 Water that exceeds the average of 35/1000 salinity TERM 27 Brackish DEFINITION 27 Water that is less than the average of 35/1000 salinity TERM 28 Mixing zone DEFINITION 28 Variations in water temperature and solutes are blending rapidly. Top 2% of the ocean TERM 29 Thermocline transition zone DEFINITION 29 Decreasing temperature with less motion than the surface. 18% of ocean TERM 30 Deep cold zone DEFINITION 30 Temperature and salinity values are uniform. Only the salinity and intense pressure keeps the water from freezing. 80% of ocean. TERM 31 Littoral zone DEFINITION 31 Coastal environment. Includes the coast, beach, and near- shore environments TERM 32 Tides DEFINITION 32 Complex daily oscillations in sea level, ranging worldwide from barely noticeable to several meters. TERM 33 Gravity DEFINITION 33 Force of attraction between two bodies TERM 34 Inertia DEFINITION 34 Tendency of objects to stay still if motionless or to keep moving in the same direction if in motion
