Which Exerts the Greatest Amount of Erosion and Sculpting of Landforms

question 19

Multiple Choice

Which exerts the greatest amount of erosion and sculpting of landforms in deserts?

• A) rainfall and running water
• B) suspended silt load in perpetual dust storms of traversing winds
• C) saltating bed load sand in great sandstorms of traversing winds
• D) fast moving, descending, dense, cold dry air from the upper atmosphere

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Definitions:

Estuary

A coastal area where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with saltwater from the ocean, creating a unique and biodiverse environment.

Littoral Zone

The part of a sea, lake, or river that is close to the shore, where sunlight penetrates all the way to the sediment allowing aquatic plants to grow.

Limnetic Zone

The open and well-lit area of a freestanding body of freshwater, such as a lake or pond, away from the shore.

Benthic Zone

The environmental zone found at the bottom of water bodies like oceans or lakes, encompassing the surface of the sediment and several layers beneath it.