Sand Dunes: Heap and mound of sand found in the desert area is called as sand dunes. These sand dunes move slowly towards the direction of the wind.

There are two types of sand dunes:

i) Longitudinal Sand Dunes, and

ii) Transverse Sand Dunes.

A crescent shape [semi-circular] sand dune is called as ‘Barchan’.

High speed wind in the desert blow out the sand and gravel from an area. Large gravel remain in the basin. The depression formed by this process is called deflation basin.

In the desert area, some rocks are found vertically standing. Their lower parts are eroded from all side very quickly by the wind compared to upper part because erosional tools [sand and gravels] blow with wind in the lower part as they are heavy. After sometimes, the rock look like a mushroom and it is called mushroom rock.

Sometimes, light and fine particle of sand are blown up to a great distance and their deposition make leveled plain that is called as loess. In other words, plain formed by wind due to deposition of fine particle of sand is called as loess. Loess plain of China is the best example.

In the desert area, a basin between the mountains is called as ‘Balson’. In other words, basin in the desert is called balson.

The rocky land from the foothill of the mountain towards the basin is called as ‘Pediment’.

A temporary lake formed due to numerous streams coming from the mountain to basin during the rainy season is called as ‘Playa’.

Mountains

Pedimont

Playa [Lake]Mountains