Bolson:- The intermontane basins in dry regions

are generally known as Bolsons.

Playas/Salina:- Playas are shallow, intermittent Attrition:- Breakdown caused by the friction
lakes that form in a depression or basin. They b/w wind and surface. (Striking of sand
are usually filled with water only during periods particles against the rocks).
of heavy rainfall or flooding. Contain high Also called as SandBlasting
percentage of salts.
Abrasion:- Movement of wind causing
Bajada:- a type of alluvial fan or cone-shaped Erosional processes by Wind breakdown of rocks.
deposit of sediment that forms at the base of a
mountain or hill. It is created by the
Deflation:- The removal of loose particles and
accumulation of sediment carried by streams or
sediment from the surface, creating a
rivers flowing out of the mountains.
depression or hole.
Pediment: An erosional plain formed at the
base of the surrounding mountain scarps -
. steep slope. Winds deposit vast stretches of undulating Sahara Desert
They are gently inclined rocky floors close to
Water eroded Arid Landforms Erg or Sandy Desert
sand dunes in the direction of winds Thar Desert
the mountains at their foot with or without a
thin cover of debris. Composed of extensive sheets of angular
Reg or Stony Desert pebbles & gravels which the wind is not able to Atacama Desert
Badlands:- Consists of gully & ravines formed blow off.
on hill slopes & rock surfaces by the extent of
water action. Consist of large stretches of bare rocks, swept
Ravines and gullies are developed by linear Hamada or Rocky clear of sand & dust by wind. Eastern Rajasthan
fluvial erosion leading to the formation of Types of Deserts Desert Exposed rocks are thoroughly smoothened, Australian Desert
Badlands topography. polished & highly sterile
Alluvial fans:- Alluvial fans are cone shaped
Deserts which are found on the highlands such Tibetan Plateau
heaps of sand that are deposited on the exit of Mountain Desert
as on plateaus & mountain ranges Himalayan Desert
a valley.
A type of dry terrain where softer sedimentary
Canyons:- A canyon is a deep, narrow valley
rocks and clay-rich soils have been extensively
Big Muddy Badland in Canada
with steep sides, often carved out by a river or
stream. Aeolian/Desert Badland eroded.
Ravines, gullies, buttes, hoodoos and other
Chambal in India
Gorges:- Gorges are similar to canyons, but are
typically smaller and more narrow. Landforms such geologic forms are common in badlands.

. Mushroom Rocks:- SandBlasting effect

Ripple Marks:- Small wave-like features. May
blowing away the softer rocks from the base
be longitudinal or transverse.
leaving a bud-like projection at the top
resembling a Mushroom.
Transverse dunes: Dunes that form
perpendicular to the wind direction, often in Zeugen:- Tabular mass of Hard rock lying
areas with abundant sand supply.
above the Soft rocks with the softer one getting
reduced faster.
Crescent-shaped dunes (Barchans): These
are the most common type of dune, Yardangs:- Similar to Zeugen but these are the
characterized by a crescent-shaped curve with
band of hard and soft rocks lying adjacent to
the edges facing away from the wind direction.
one another in the direction of wind instead of
lying above one another.
Longitudinal dunes (Seifs): Similar to linear
dunes, but longer and more sinuous, often Depositional Landforms Mesas:- It is a flat, table-like landmass with a
found in areas with consistent wind patterns.
very resistant horizontal top layer and very
steep sides.
Parabolic Dunes:- These are the U-shaped
dunes formed where vegetation covers the Buttes:- Mesa reduced to a flat isolated hill
sand. They are basically reversed Barchans with separated from a Mesa by a canyon.
wind direction being the same.
Inselberg:- Isolated residual hills, have steep
Star dunes (Rhods): Complex dunes with
multiple arms that radiate from a central point,
Erosional Landforms slopes and rounded top, made of granite and
are remains of almost eroded plateau.
forming a star-like shape.
Dreikanter:-Any boulder that has been shaped
Loess:- Loess is formed through the
by aeolian sand blasting into a faceted rock.
accumulation of wind-blown silts and clays in
arid and semi-arid regions. The particles are
Ventifacts:- A faceted rock abraded for long
transported by wind and deposited in a new
location, often in a layered or stratified manner. period.

Wind Windows:- Continuous abrasion of rocks

by wind results in the formation of holes in the
rocks which get widened and form windows.

Wind Bridges:- Wind windows are further

widened and enlarged resulting in an arch-like
feature, having an intact roof. This formation is
called as Wind Bridges.

Deflation Hollows:- Worn of deepened

surface in a desert caused by the wind.