The effects of water diagrams Task: The hydrologic cycle The sun’s energy leads to evaporation from water bodies leading tothe formation of clouds on condensation. Cool air in the landmasses causes precipitation of the condensed vapour. The precipitation causes runoff of water across the landscape back to water bodies. The evaporation also occurs on land adding to that which occurs on water bodies.

Creating desert landscapes

The main factor that triggers the formation of desert feature is wind. The movement of the wind coupled by the extreme temperatures in the deserts are the key causes of desert landscape. Hot air rises and spreads northwards and southwards. The air releases its wetness content over the tropical regions creating a low-pressure region. The poles are the origin of dense air descending due to the high pressure. The descending of dense air toward high-pressure tropical zones results in hot dry winds. The resultant wind is devoid of moisture and blows over North Africa, North America and Middle East hence, the desert in the above regions (Concord, 2012).

Glacial action

The descending of glacier results in the creation of features. However, the process is gradual. Glaciers create feature by scouring the earth and depositing material in diverse areas. They drag along rocky material, which is embedded in the glacier. The rock particles scour the earth surface creating certain feature such as horns and arêtes. Additionally, if the gravel emanating from glaciations is deposited it is regarded as moraine. For glaciations to generate distinct features, massive quantity of ice is necessary. However, the receding ice caps have resulted in reduced glaciations (Pidwirny, 2006).

References

Concord. (2012). Biome Background:&nbsp. Deserts. Retrieved on May 26, 2012 from http://www.concord.org/~btinker/GL/web/exploring_life/ecosystems/desert.htm

Pidwirny, M. (2006). Landforms of Glaciations. Retrieved on May 26, 2012 fromhttp://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/10af.