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