Arid Landscapes. Arid and Humid Weathering Compared Humid ClimatesArid Climates RainfallFrequentRare, May Be Seasonal, Often Violent Soil CoverThickThin.

Arid Landscapes

Arid and Humid Weathering Compared

Humid Climates Arid Climates

Rainfall Frequent Rare, May Be Seasonal, Often Violent

Soil Cover Thick Thin or Absent

Vegetation Thick Sparse-no Continuous Cover

Chemical Weathering

Intense Weak

Overall Landscape Evolution

Mostly Uniform Processes

Episodic Processes

Arid Erosion Cycle: Youth

• V-shaped Valleys • Divides Flat,

Undissected • Much Like Youth

in Humid Climates

Youthful Landscape, Arizona

Arid Erosion Cycle: Maturity

• Slopes Stay Steep, Retreat

• Alluvial Fans • Playa Lakes • Pediments

Alluvial Fans, Utah

Mature Arid Landscape

How Pediments Form

Arid Erosion Cycle: Old Age

• Inselbergs • Playa Lakes • Pediplain

Old Arid Landscape

Monument Valley, Arizona

Playa Lake, California

Great Salt Lake, Utah

Closed Basins

are Typical of Arid Regions