yardangselongated
Yardangselongated refers to a specific type of landform known as a yardang. Yardangs are elongated ridges formed by the differential erosion of bedrock by wind. The term "yardangselongated" emphasizes the distinct, elongated shape that these features often take. They are typically found in arid and semi-arid regions where wind is a dominant erosional force. The process of yardang formation begins with a resistant rock layer overlying a less resistant layer. Wind, carrying sand and dust particles, erodes the softer rock more rapidly. This differential erosion carves out depressions or troughs, leaving the harder rock standing as ridges. Over time, these ridges become progressively elongated and streamlined by the persistent action of the wind. The orientation of yardangs is usually aligned with the prevailing wind direction. Their size can vary considerably, from a few meters to several kilometers in length and from a few centimeters to tens of meters in height. The surface of a yardang is often sculpted by ventifacts, which are stones or pebbles that have been abraded and polished by windblown sand. Yardangselongated formations are significant indicators of past and present wind regimes and play a role in the geomorphology of desert landscapes.