Arid Environments Lab

Physical weathering in Arid Regions

Arid Regions: Abrasion by windblown sand and streams is significant; frost wedging and some thermal expansion/ contraction

Wind erosion in Arid Regions

Common because of limited water for grain cohesion and few plants to stabilize the land surface

Stream erosion in Humid Regions

Continuous, year-round process

Chemical weathering in Humid Regions

Dominant because of the abundant water, carbon dioxide produced by bacterial decay and organic acids from plants

Stream erosion in Arid Regions

Episodic, but effective because of limited vegetative cover

Groundwater activity in Arid Regions

Limited primarily to locations where there are springs; Shallow water tables locally stabilize playa and interdune surfaces

Wind erosion in Humid Regions

Minimal because abundant water increases grain cohesion and plant growth protects land surface

Soil formation in Humid Regions

More rapid, well developed, and deeper because of abundant water and plants

Mass wasting in Arid Regions

Rock falls common with numerous talus piles; debris flows common where vegetation does not cover/ stabilize the land surface

Physical weathering in Humid Regions

Root wedging significant; frost wedging significant in non-tropical areas

Groundwater activity in Humid Regions

Seepage and springs are widespread contributing to mass wasting and perennial stream flow

Mass wasting in Humid Regions

Soil creep, slumps, landslides and debris flows common because of abundant moisture

Chemical weathering in Arid Regions

Very slow because of limited amounts of water

Soil formation in Arid Regions

Very slow because of the limited water and few plants; salts and calcium carbonate accumulate