C
LIMATE HAS A STRONG
INFLUENCE ON THE
NATURE AND INTENSITY
of Earth’ s external processes. This
was clearly demonstrated in the
preceding chapter on glaciers.
Another excellent example of the
strong link between climate and
geology is seen when we examine
the development of arid landscapes.
F O C U S O N C O N C E P T S
To assist you in learning
the important concepts in this
chapter, focus on the following
questions:
What are the causes of deserts in
the low and middle latitudes?
What are the roles of
weathering, water, and wind in
arid and semiarid climates?
How have many of the
landscapes in the dry Basin
and Range region of the United
States evolved?
How does wind erode?
What are some depositional
features produced by wind?
California’s Death Valley is a desert in the
rainshadow of the Sierra Nevada and
exhibits many classic features associated
with a mountainous desert landscape.
(Photo by Russ Bishop/Photolibrary)