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Deserts: The Extreme Earth

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Deserts are regions that receive very little rainfall, typically less than 250 millimeters (10 inches) per year. They are characterized by sparse vegetation, high temperatures, and low humidity. Deserts can be found on all continents except Antarctica, and they cover about one-third of the Earth's land surface.

Deserts (The Extreme Earth)

by Pranay Patil

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Types of Deserts

There are two main types of deserts: hot deserts and cold deserts. Hot deserts are found in tropical and subtropical regions, and they are characterized by high temperatures and low humidity. Cold deserts are found in polar and subpolar regions, and they are characterized by low temperatures and low humidity.

Hot Deserts

Hot deserts are the most common type of desert. They are found in regions that receive very little rainfall, typically less than 250 millimeters (10 inches) per year. Hot deserts are characterized by high temperatures, low humidity, and sparse vegetation. The average temperature in a hot desert is typically between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius (68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit). However, temperatures can reach as high as 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in the hottest deserts.

Hot deserts are found in all continents except Antarctica. The largest hot desert in the world is the Sahara Desert, which covers an area of over 9 million square kilometers (3.5 million square miles). Other major hot deserts include the Gobi Desert, the Arabian Desert, and the Atacama Desert.

Cold Deserts

Cold deserts are found in polar and subpolar regions. They are characterized by low temperatures and low humidity. The average temperature in a cold desert is typically between -10 and -20 degrees Celsius (14 and -4 degrees Fahrenheit). However, temperatures can reach as low as -50 degrees Celsius (-58 degrees Fahrenheit) in the coldest deserts.

Cold deserts are found in all continents except Antarctica. The largest cold desert in the world is the Antarctic Polar Desert, which covers an area of over 14 million square kilometers (5.4 million square miles). Other major cold deserts include the Arctic Polar Desert and the Tibetan Plateau.

Climate of Deserts

The climate of deserts is characterized by high temperatures, low humidity, and low rainfall. The average temperature in a desert is typically between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius (68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit). However, temperatures can reach as high as 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in the hottest deserts and as low as -50 degrees Celsius (-58 degrees Fahrenheit) in the coldest deserts.

The humidity in deserts is typically very low, often below 20%. This is because the air in deserts is very dry and there is very little water vapor in the atmosphere. The low humidity in deserts can make it difficult to breathe and can cause skin and eye irritation.

The rainfall in deserts is typically very low, often less than 250 millimeters (10 inches) per year. This is because the air in deserts is very dry and there is very little water vapor in the atmosphere. The low rainfall in deserts can make it difficult for plants and animals to survive.

Geology of Deserts

The geology of deserts is characterized by the presence of sand, dunes, and other wind-blown deposits. The sand in deserts is typically composed of quartz, which is a very hard mineral. The dunes in deserts are formed by the wind, which picks up sand and carries it away. The dunes can be very large, and some can reach heights of over 100 meters (328 feet).

Other wind-blown deposits in deserts include loess, which is a fine-grained sediment that is composed of silt and clay. Loess is typically found in the valleys of deserts and can be very thick. It is a very fertile soil and is often used for agriculture.

Geography of Deserts

Deserts are found on all continents except Antarctica. The largest desert in the world is the Sahara Desert, which covers an area of over 9 million square kilometers (3.5 million square miles). Other major deserts include the Gobi Desert, the Arabian Desert, and the Atacama Desert.

Deserts are often located in the interior of continents, where they are far from the ocean. This is because the ocean provides moisture to the air, which can help to prevent the formation of deserts. Deserts are also often located in regions that are dominated by high pressure systems. High pressure systems prevent the formation of clouds and precipitation, which can lead to the development of deserts.