Geomorphology of desert environments

Abstract

The notion that the desert areas of the world possess a distinct geomorphology has a long history and, in many ways, is informed by the popular concept of deserts as places that are different. Not surprisingly, early explorers in deserts, particularly Europeans travelling in the Sahara from the late 18th century onwards, were impressed by, and reported on, the unusual features of these areas. Rock pedestals, sand dunes, and bare-rock hills rising almost vertically from near-horizontal, gravel-covered plains all contributed to the impression of a unique landscape. This spirit of exploration in a totally alien landscape continued into the 20th century, so that as late as 1935 R.A. Bagnold wrote of his travels in North Africa during the preceding decade under the title Libyan sands: travels in a dead world (Bagnold 1935). Emphasis on the unusual and remarkable landforms of desert areas and a coincident emphasis on the hot tropical deserts had a profound impact on attempts to explain the geomorphology of deserts. © 2009 Springer Netherlands.