Deserts: Classifications

Classification of Deserts:

Deserts are regions that receive very little rainfall and have a high evaporation rate. They cover about one-fifth of the Earth's land surface and can have different climates, vegetation and wildlife. There are several ways to classify deserts based on their geographical location, dominant weather pattern, temperature and moisture.

The most common classification system divides deserts into five types: subtropical, coastal, rain shadow, interior and polar. 

•  Subtropical deserts are located in the tropics, where hot and dry air masses create high pressure zones that prevent cloud formation and precipitation. Examples of subtropical deserts are the Sahara, the Arabian and the Kalahari.

•  Coastal deserts are found along the western coasts of continents, where cold ocean currents create stable and dry air masses that move inland. Examples of coastal deserts are the Atacama, the Namib and the Baja California.

•  Rain shadow deserts are formed on the leeward side of mountain ranges, where moist air masses lose their moisture as they rise and cool over the mountains, leaving dry air to descend on the other side. Examples of rain shadow deserts are the Great Basin, the Gobi and the Patagonia.

•  Interior deserts are located far from any source of moisture, such as oceans or large lakes. They have low rainfall and high temperature variations between day and night. Examples of interior deserts are the Taklamakan, the Karakum and the Great Victoria.

•  Polar deserts are found in the polar regions, where low temperatures and high winds create dry and frozen conditions. They have very little precipitation, mostly in the form of snow or ice. Examples of polar deserts are Antarctica and Greenland

 Location of Deserts:

Deserts are where they are in the world because of the global atmospheric circulation, which creates zones of high and low pressure that affect the rainfall patterns of different regions. Most of the world's deserts are located near 30 degrees north and south of the equator, where the air is dry and sinks due to atmospheric circulation patterns. However, this is not the only factor that determines where deserts are located. Other factors include mountain ranges, ocean currents, and climate change. Some deserts are also found on the western coasts of continents, where cold ocean currents create dry winds that blow over the land.