WindsWind can also cause erosion. Like water, the speed of the wind determines the size of the materials it carries. Slower winds carry only small particles, like dust. On the other hand, faster winds have more energy so they can carry larger particles like sand grains. These strong winds can produce a large cloud of dust or sand. Most wind erosion occurs in the dry area such as deserts.
Wind erodes the land by abrasion and deflation. Deflation is when the wind picks up and carries away loose surface materials. Don't forget that wind is created by the difference in air pressure within the Earth's atmosphere. This difference in air pressure is created by the unequal distribution of the Sun's energy. So this shaping of Earth is also related to the Sun's energy. |
Features deposited by wind include sand dunes and loess deposits.
Dunes• Deposits formed from windblown sand
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Loess• Consists mainly of finely ground particles
• From deserts and glacial deposits |