Desert Climate Characteristics and Locations chapt 18

Which climate group do deserts primarily belong to?

• Group A – Tropical

• Group B – Dry

• Group C – Mild midlatitude

• Group D – Severe midlatitude

Subtropical hot deserts (BWh) are typically found:

• Near the poles

• Along the equator

• On west sides of continents around 25–30° latitude

• Only in continental interiors

A defining characteristic of subtropical deserts is:

• High annual rainfall

• Persistent cloud cover

• Very hot summers and low, unreliable precipitation

• Cool summers and heavy snowfall

Many midlatitude cold deserts (BWk) are located:

• In rain shadows of high mountain ranges

• Only on east coasts

• Along plate boundaries

• In tropical rainforest belts

Which factor often explains the desert climates of Nevada and Arizona?

• Proximity to warm ocean currents

• Rain shadow effect

• Continental glaciers

• Monsoon circulation

A desert is best defined by:

• Very high temperatures only

• Low precipitation and water deficit

• High soil moisture

• Dense vegetation

A common climatic feature of deserts is:

• Small daily temperature range

• High humidity

• Scarce rainfall and large daily temperature range

• Frequent fog and drizzle

Mechanical weathering dominates in deserts mainly because:

• High soil moisture

• Constant freezing conditions

• Very arid conditions limit chemical weathering

• Abundant vegetation cover

Which mechanical weathering process is especially important in deserts?

• Hydrolysis

• Salt wedging

• Oxidation

• Solution

Closed drainage basins in deserts commonly lead to:

• Large river deltas

• Formation of saline lakes and playas

• Extensive swamps

• Deep, permanent freshwater lakes