Every year, Eli and his family visit the Great Sand Dunes desert in Colorado. Eli notices that more sand dunes with varied shapes and sizes appear each year. Explain what causes this phenomenon.
PLZ DO NOT SAY WIKI!!!!!!!!
Ummm, Soo, Is The The Answer is that sand and erosion make the different dunes? But, How Are They Different Shapes?
http://www.google.com/#q=+sand+dunes+causes
Soo,What Spesifically(and Detailed)?
Please read two or three of those sites.
so uh, teacher, i guess so.
To explain the phenomenon of more sand dunes with varied shapes and sizes appearing each year in the Great Sand Dunes desert in Colorado, we can consider the processes involved in the formation and evolution of sand dunes.
1. Sediment Supply: One important factor is the availability of sand, which serves as the primary building block of sand dunes. The Great Sand Dunes desert is located near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where rivers and streams transport sediment from the mountains to the desert. Over time, the accumulation of this sediment provides a constant supply of sand for the dune formation.
2. Wind as an Agent of Change: Wind is a key element in shaping the sand dunes. As the prevailing winds blow across the desert, they pick up loose sand grains and carry them along. When the wind encounters an obstruction, such as a rock or vegetation, it drops the sand, resulting in the formation of a sand dune. Over time, this process repeats, causing the dunes to grow in size and complexity.
3. Wind Direction and Speed: Variations in wind direction and speed can influence the shape and size of sand dunes. Changes in wind patterns can occur due to factors like seasonal weather patterns or the presence of large-scale atmospheric phenomena. These variations in wind characteristics influence the formation of different types of dunes, such as barchan, transverse, or star dunes, each with its own distinctive shape and size.
4. Vegetation Stabilization: Vegetation plays an essential role in stabilizing sand dunes. Certain plant species, like grasses and shrubs, have adapted to grow in sandy environments and can anchor sand grains, preventing them from being easily transported by the wind. As vegetation establishes itself on the dunes, it helps stabilize the sand, promoting the growth and persistence of dune formations.
5. Time and Long-term Processes: Sand dune formation is a gradual and long-term process that occurs over many years. The combination of factors such as wind, sediment availability, and vegetation influence the development and evolution of sand dunes. As the process continues, sand dunes are subject to erosion and deposition processes, gradually changing their shape, size, and overall landscape appearance.
In summary, the phenomenon of more sand dunes with varied shapes and sizes appearing each year in the Great Sand Dunes desert in Colorado is primarily driven by the constant supply of sand, the dynamic nature of wind patterns, the presence of stabilizing vegetation, and long-term erosional and depositional processes. By understanding these factors, we can appreciate the natural processes that contribute to the ongoing formation and evolution of sand dunes in this desert.
Winds and erosion are always different.
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/deserts/dunes/
Wiki
So everyone here is perfectly comfortable with cheating on tests?
Even Ms. Sue?