Geomorphology of Desert Environments

About this book

About one-third of the Earth's land surface experiences a desert climate, and this area supports approximately 15% of the planet's population. This percentage continues to grow, and with this growth comes the need to acquire and apply an understanding of desert geomorphology. Such an understanding is vital in managing scarce and fragile resources and in mitigating natural hazards.

This authoritative reference book is comprehensive in its coverage of the geomorphology of desert environments, and is arranged thematically. It begins with an overview of global deserts, proceeds through treatments of weathering, hillslopes, rivers, piedmonts, lake basins, and aeolian surfaces, and concludes with a discussion of the role of climatic change. Written by a team of international authors, all of whom are active in the field, the chapters cover the spectrum of desert geomorphology.

Contents

World deserts: a geomorphic comparison - T Oberlander; Weathering. Weathering processes and forms - R U Cooke; Desert soils and duricrust - J Dixon; Rock varnish - T Oberlander; Hillslopes. Erosion mechanics - A D Howard, A D Abrahams, A J Parsons and M J Selby; Slopes in uniform rocks - A D Howard, A D Abrahams, A J Parsons and M J Selby; Slopes in layered rocks - A D Howard and M J Selby; Rivers, basin and channel hydrology - A Schick and A Yair; Channel processes and forms - G Nanson and G Pickup; Piedmonts. Pediment processes and forms - J Dohrenwend; Alluvial fan processes and forms - R Dorn; Lake basins. Hydrology, sedimentology, and surface types - D R Currey; Eolian features. Transport mechanics - N Lancaster and W Nickling; Depositional forms - N Lancaster and W Nickling; Erosional forms - J Laity; Climatic change. Rock varnish - R Dorn; Hillslopes - W B Bull; Rivers and alluvial fans - W L Graf and R Dorn; Lake basins - D Sack; Eolian features - V Tchakerian; Cenozoic climatic changes in deserts: a synthesis - M Williams.

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