A satellite image shows a portion of the Namib Desert in Africa. This is an ancient, sandy desert with dunes that can be up to 305 m tall. The Namib Desert extends inland from the Atlantic Ocean between 80 km and 200 km and receives only 5 mm to 76 mm of rain each year.
A satellite picture of this same area taken weeks before shows that the shape and location of some sand dunes have changed. Which of these most likely caused the changes in the dunes?
A Ocean waves
B Flowing rivers
C Blowing wind
D Crustal uplift
Please Help Me! I have no idea. God bless you!!
What is the answer?
Thank you Ms. Sue! You are awesome, God bless you :-)
Blowing winds
This site has your answer.
https://www.reference.com/science/sand-dunes-formed-f829ff951056c006
You're welcome -- and thank you.
To determine the most likely cause of changes in the sand dunes, we can use the information provided about the Namib Desert. We know that the desert is located between the Atlantic Ocean and inland areas, and that it receives very little rainfall each year.
Given this information, we can eliminate options A and B, which are ocean waves and flowing rivers, as the primary cause of the changes in the sand dunes. The reason for this is that the desert receives very little rainfall, so it is unlikely to have significant water sources such as rivers or ocean waves.
This leaves us with options C and D, blowing wind and crustal uplift.
Considering the nature of deserts, where wind erosion and deposition are common processes, option C – blowing wind – is the most likely cause for the changes in the sand dunes. The Namib Desert is known for its strong winds, which can cause grains of sand to be picked up and moved, resulting in the shifting and reshaping of dunes over time.
On the other hand, option D – crustal uplift – refers to tectonic forces that elevate the Earth's crust. While tectonic forces can indirectly influence the landscape, the description of the Namib Desert does not suggest any significant crustal uplift in the region, making it less likely to be the primary cause of the changes in the sand dunes.
Therefore, the correct answer is C – Blowing wind, which is the most likely cause of the changes in the sand dunes in the Namib Desert.