G102/202

Student Learning Outcomes:  Chapter 15

DESERTS AND WINDS

Having studied chapter 15 and listening to the lecture, you should be able to discuss the following:

1.  List and describe at least four common misconceptions of deserts.

2   Discuss the factors that lead to an increase or a decrease in relative humidity and the conditions that lead to precipitation or a lack of it.

Define:

            a.  adiabatic rate

            b.  relative humidity

            c.  absolute humidity

3.  Be able to calculate an air masses temperature, relative humidity and absolute humidity given the pertinent information about the air mass.

4.  Name the world=s major high and low pressure systems. 

            a.  Polar High (N & S)

            b.  Equatorial Low 

            c.  Subtropical High (N & S)

5.  Describe the Coriolis Effect on global wind patterns

6.  The world's major deserts and steppes are located about 20-30E north and south latitude.  Explain why this is so.  Differentiate between a desert and steppe.

7  What are the factors responsible for the development of a mid-continental (rainshadow) desert? 

Define: rainshadow, windward, leeward.

8.  Describe the cause of deserts located along some coastlines.

9.  Describe the nature of Aephemeral streams@ in their role in forming desert topography.

10.  Differentiate between the following desert features:

            a.  intermountain basin                                       e.  playa

            b. bajada                                                           f.  alluvial fan

            c.  pediment                                                       g.  inselberg

            d.  interior drainage

11.  Describe the influence of wind in desert regions, and define:

bedload                                                             desert varnish

caliche saltation

deflation                                                            desert pavement

suspended load                                                  blowout

lag deposits                                                        abrasion

ventifact

12.  Describe the nature of sand dune deposits.  How do they form, move, and stabilize.

Define:   slip-face,   angle of repose   cross-bed

13.  What is desertification and how is it created?

202 Students:

14. Be able to diagram and label the world=s six air cells

15.  Understand the differences between and be able to recognize the following types of sand dunes: (consider wind direction, sand quantity, typical locations, etc.)

            a. barchan                                                        e.  parabolic

            b.  transverse                                                     f.  star (complex)

            c. barchanoid

            d.  longitudinal