What are the hills of sand created by wind in deserts called?
a) Cliffs
b) Sand Dunes
c) Canyons
d) Plateaus
Get real time update about this post category directly on your device, subscribe now.
Answer: b) Sand Dunes
Explanation
-
Sand Dunes: A sand dune is a mound, hill, or ridge of loose sand piled up and shaped by the wind (aeolian process).
-
Formation: Dunes form when wind carries sand grains and encounters an obstacle (like a rock, bush, or elevation change), causing the wind to slow down and drop its sediment load.
-
Key Types of Sand Dunes:
-
Barchans: Crescent-shaped dunes with points (horns) pointing downwind, common in the Thar Desert.
-
Seif / Longitudinal Dunes: Long ridges of sand aligned parallel to the prevailing wind direction.
-
Transverse Dunes: Asymmetrical sand ridges running perpendicular to the wind direction.
-
Overview of Other Options
-
a) Cliffs: Vertical or steep rock faces created by weathering, erosion, or tectonic faulting (commonly coastal or river cliff landforms).
-
c) Canyons: Deep, narrow valleys with steep cliff sides cut into the earth by running river water over millions of years (e.g., Grand Canyon, Gandikota Canyon in Andhra Pradesh).
-
d) Plateaus: Broad, flat-topped elevated landforms rising sharply above the surrounding land on at least one side (e.g., Deccan Plateau).
Get real time update about this post category directly on your device, subscribe now.
