Winds – Landform and their Evolution

Wind is caused by the uneven heating of the air by the Sun, the irregularities of the Earth’s surface, and rotation of the Earth. The desert floors get heated up too much and too quickly because of being dry and barren.

The heated floors heat up the air directly above them and result in upward movements in the hot lighter air with turbulence, and any obstructions in its path sets up eddies, whirlwinds, updrafts and downdrafts.

Winds cause deflation, abrasion and impact. That means, the weathered debris in deserts is moved by not only wind but also by rain/sheet wash.

The direction of the wind is commonly described by its bearing relative to the direction of the earth’s surface. Forces that are applied to the atmosphere—such as high-pressure systems or low-pressure areas—cause winds of different speeds, directions, and intensities.

Atmospheric pressure steadily decreases with altitude because there are few air molecules above an area of high pressure to exert a force against the Earth’s surface at higher altitudes.

Therefore, there is an upward movement of air known as a pressure gradient or geostrophic wind. Winds are created by differences in atmospheric pressure at various locations on the Earth’s surface combined with areas of varying vertical wind shear.