Geological Features in Deserts

Alluvial Fan:

A large, fan-shaped pile of sediment forming at the base of narrow canyons.  

Alluvium:

Gravel, silt, and clay deposited by streams.

Arroyo:

A dry desert gully.

Dunes:

Mounds of loose grains of sand piled up by the wind.

Mesa:

Broad flat-topped hill.  

Pediment:

A gently sloping surface usually covered in gravel.  

Syncline:

An arced fold in the shape of an "u".

Desert Pavement:

A thin surface of closely packed pebbles.

Desert Varnish:

A hard, dark, shiny, coating on rocks.

Blowout:

A depression in the land surface created by wind.