Which of the following is a wind deposited land form?
Answer Details
A wind-deposited landform refers to a geological feature that is created or shaped by the action of wind carrying and depositing sediments. In this context, out of the four options given, the one that is a wind-deposited landform is **loess**.
Loess is a specific type of sediment that is composed of fine particles of silt and clay that have been blown by wind over long distances and eventually deposited. It is typically pale yellow or light brown in color and has a very fine texture.
Loess deposits often form in regions with strong and consistent winds, such as dry deserts or the margins of glacial systems. These sediments accumulate over time, often in thick layers, creating distinct landforms.
One characteristic feature associated with loess is its ability to be easily eroded by wind and water. This erosion gives rise to unique landforms, such as **yardangs** and **deflation hollows**, which are also mentioned in the given options.
A yardang is a ridge of rock that has been carved and streamlined by wind erosion. The wind scours away the loose sediment, leaving behind elongated ridges that run parallel to the prevailing wind direction. Yardangs can vary in size from a few meters to several kilometers long.
A deflation hollow, on the other hand, is a depression in the landscape that forms when loose sediments are eroded away by wind, leaving behind a lowered area. These hollows can occur individually or in groups, and their size and shape depend on the intensity and duration of wind erosion.
While both yardangs and deflation hollows are features associated with wind erosion, they are not technically wind-deposited landforms since they are created by the removal of sediment rather than the deposition of sediment.
In summary, out of the options given, the wind-deposited landform is **loess**. It is a type of fine sediment made of silt and clay particles that are transported and deposited by the wind. Yardangs and deflation hollows, although associated with wind erosion, are not specifically wind-deposited landforms.