Deserts Study Guide
Bedrock Geology: Basin and Range, extension (16 my in CA), normal faults/range front faults, detachment faults, turtlebacks/metamorphic core complexes, mylonites, Mojave (and Colorado), strike slip faults, propagation of rift zone?
Ancient history: Paleozoic and Precambrian, passive margin, carbonate platform
Desert features: slow weathering, rugged mountains, internal drainage (Great Basin), 20-30 latitude (Mojave & Colorado), rainshadow (Great Basin and Mojave)
water features: ephemeral braided streams, alluvial fans, playa lakes (interior drainage) - (Pyramid, Mono, Owens, Death Valley), evaporites, tufa
wind: sand dunes, migration, abrasion, ventifacts, deflation, desert pavement, desert varnish??
What is the Basin and Range? How and when did it form? Describe the faults found there. What does it look like now? How is the Mojave similar to the Basin and Range? How is it different?
Where was the west coast of California during the Paleozoic? What was it like?
Explain why the Great Basin is a desert. Why is the Mojave a desert?
Explain why the Mojave and the Basin and Range appear as isolated colored blocks surrounded by yellow on the geologic map of California.
Describe the following features found in a desert: ephemeral streams, playa lakes, alluvial fans, sand dunes, desert pavement, ventifacts
How do sand dunes migrate?