Difference between revisions of "Desert (range)"
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| − | [[File:Desert (range).jpg|right|560px]] | + | [[File:Desert (range).jpg|right|560px|thumb]] |
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| − | + | '''Deserts''' are regions where little precipitation produces hostile living conditions for plant and [[Animal|animal]] life. The lack of [[Vegetation (desert)|vegetation]] exposes the unprotected surface, intensifying weathering processes through wind and temperature changes from day to night. Resulting fragments are scattered, collecting into dust storms, level sheets of sand or piled high in billowing sand dunes. In other parts, small particles are blown away, leavking shattered mosaics of smooth or sharp stones, forming pavements a hundred miles wide. | |
| − | The desert is productive in some degree, as the exposed rock reveals places where valuable minerals such as ores, salt, rare minerals and gems can be obtained. Additionally, plants growing in the desert provide rare materials such as incense and natural resins, both of which cannot be found anywhere else. These goods are exported out of the desert by caravans of [[Camel (domestic)|camels]]. As deserts are large geographic obstructions between civilizations, tenuous [[Trade System|trade]] routes are forged, enabling goods from one climate or culture can be exchanged with another. | + | [[Plant Life (sage field)|Plants]] and animals living in the desert need special adaptations to survive. Many of the monsters that dwell in the desert are the sort that have no need of [[Food|food]], or which may travel hundreds of miles in a day, in order to obtain it. Humanoids surviving in the desert cluster around areas where water can be drawn up from below ground or collects on the surface. [[Dehydration]] is an important concern. Desert water is often harsh to taste and smell, but will nevertheless sustain life. |
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| + | The desert is productive in some degree, as the exposed rock reveals places where valuable minerals such as ores, salt, rare minerals and [[Gems|gems]] can be obtained. Additionally, plants growing in the desert provide rare materials such as incense and natural resins, both of which cannot be found anywhere else. These goods are exported out of the desert by [[Caravan|caravans]] of [[Camel (domestic)|camels]]. As deserts are large geographic obstructions between civilizations, tenuous [[Trade System|trade]] routes are forged, enabling goods from one climate or culture can be exchanged with another. | ||
Some arid lands that are thought of deserts are more properly thought of as [[Barrens (range)|barrens]], as these regions possess short grasses and extensive areas of scrub brush. | Some arid lands that are thought of deserts are more properly thought of as [[Barrens (range)|barrens]], as these regions possess short grasses and extensive areas of scrub brush. | ||
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== Major Deserts == | == Major Deserts == | ||
Below is a list of the most extensive deserts in the world: | Below is a list of the most extensive deserts in the world: | ||
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<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3"> | <div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3"> | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Arabian Desert|Arabian]] - the Arabian Peninsula & Empty Quarter |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Atacama Desert & Loma Coast|Atacama & Loma Coast]] - along the west coast of South America |
| + | * [[Great Sandy Desert|Great Sandy]] - undiscovered Australia | ||
| + | * [[Kalahari Desert|Kalahari]] - southern Africa | ||
| + | * [[Namib Desert|Namib]] - southwest coast of Africa | ||
| + | * [[Patagonia]] - the southern part of South America | ||
| + | * [[Sahara Desert|Sahara]] - the largest desert, in northern Africa | ||
| + | * [[Syrian Desert|Syrian]] - between Palestine and the Persian Gulf | ||
| + | * [[Takla Makan|Takla Makan]] - far western China | ||
| + | * [[Taldy Kurgan|Taldy Kurgan]] - northern Turkestan | ||
| + | * [[Thar Desert|Thar]] - west Indian subcontinent | ||
* [[The Gobi Desert|Gobi]] - north central China | * [[The Gobi Desert|Gobi]] - north central China | ||
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* [[Ust-Urt & The Kara Kum|Ust-Urt & Kara Kum]] - vicinity of the Aral and Caspian seas | * [[Ust-Urt & The Kara Kum|Ust-Urt & Kara Kum]] - vicinity of the Aral and Caspian seas | ||
</div><br> | </div><br> | ||
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<div style="column-count:4;-moz-column-count:4;-webkit-column-count:4"> | <div style="column-count:4;-moz-column-count:4;-webkit-column-count:4"> | ||
| − | * [[Bench]] | + | * [[Alkali Pool]] |
| + | * [[Bench (landform)]] | ||
* [[Black Sand]] | * [[Black Sand]] | ||
| + | * [[Caravansary]] | ||
* [[Cauldera]] | * [[Cauldera]] | ||
| + | * [[Chasm]] | ||
| + | * [[Cleft Valley]] (''modern graben'') | ||
* [[Cliff Dwelling]] | * [[Cliff Dwelling]] | ||
| − | * [[Crater]] | + | * [[Crater (landform)]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Dust Bowl]] |
* [[Erg]] | * [[Erg]] | ||
* [[Esker]] | * [[Esker]] | ||
* [[Fossa]] | * [[Fossa]] | ||
* [[Gorge]] | * [[Gorge]] | ||
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* [[Labyrinthus]] | * [[Labyrinthus]] | ||
* [[Lava Flow]] | * [[Lava Flow]] | ||
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* [[Sinkhole]] | * [[Sinkhole]] | ||
* [[Stone Desert]] | * [[Stone Desert]] | ||
| + | * [[Sunken Land]] (''modern depression'') | ||
* [[Tholus]] | * [[Tholus]] | ||
* [[Volcanic Gas]] | * [[Volcanic Gas]] | ||
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== Desert Creatures == | == Desert Creatures == | ||
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The following monsters are common to desert ranges. | The following monsters are common to desert ranges. | ||
<div style="column-count:4;-moz-column-count:4;-webkit-column-count:4"> | <div style="column-count:4;-moz-column-count:4;-webkit-column-count:4"> | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Bat (giant)]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Bull Ant (giant)]] |
| − | + | * [[Camel (wild)]] | |
| − | * [[ | ||
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* [[Cheetah]] | * [[Cheetah]] | ||
* [[Chimera]] | * [[Chimera]] | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Dog (wild)]] |
* [[Dragonis Aeriochalkos (brass dragon)]] | * [[Dragonis Aeriochalkos (brass dragon)]] | ||
* [[Dragonne]] | * [[Dragonne]] | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Eagle (giant)]] |
* [[Asiatic Elephant|Elephant (Asiatic)]] | * [[Asiatic Elephant|Elephant (Asiatic)]] | ||
* [[Emu]] | * [[Emu]] | ||
* [[Fire Giant|Giant (fire)]] | * [[Fire Giant|Giant (fire)]] | ||
* [[Griffon]] | * [[Griffon]] | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Horse (wild)]] |
* [[Hyena]] | * [[Hyena]] | ||
* [[Golden Jackal|Jackal (golden)]] | * [[Golden Jackal|Jackal (golden)]] | ||
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* [[Fire Lizard|Lizard (fire)]] | * [[Fire Lizard|Lizard (fire)]] | ||
* [[Megalania Lizard|Lizard (megalomania)]] | * [[Megalania Lizard|Lizard (megalomania)]] | ||
| − | </div> | + | * [[Sable Antelope]] |
| + | * [[Warthog]] | ||
| + | </div><br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | See Also,<br> | ||
| + | [[Blightlander (sage study)]]<br> | ||
| + | [[List of Ranges]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:14, 3 November 2023
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Deserts are regions where little precipitation produces hostile living conditions for plant and animal life. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface, intensifying weathering processes through wind and temperature changes from day to night. Resulting fragments are scattered, collecting into dust storms, level sheets of sand or piled high in billowing sand dunes. In other parts, small particles are blown away, leavking shattered mosaics of smooth or sharp stones, forming pavements a hundred miles wide.
Plants and animals living in the desert need special adaptations to survive. Many of the monsters that dwell in the desert are the sort that have no need of food, or which may travel hundreds of miles in a day, in order to obtain it. Humanoids surviving in the desert cluster around areas where water can be drawn up from below ground or collects on the surface. Dehydration is an important concern. Desert water is often harsh to taste and smell, but will nevertheless sustain life.
The desert is productive in some degree, as the exposed rock reveals places where valuable minerals such as ores, salt, rare minerals and gems can be obtained. Additionally, plants growing in the desert provide rare materials such as incense and natural resins, both of which cannot be found anywhere else. These goods are exported out of the desert by caravans of camels. As deserts are large geographic obstructions between civilizations, tenuous trade routes are forged, enabling goods from one climate or culture can be exchanged with another.
Some arid lands that are thought of deserts are more properly thought of as barrens, as these regions possess short grasses and extensive areas of scrub brush.
Major Deserts
Below is a list of the most extensive deserts in the world:
- Arabian - the Arabian Peninsula & Empty Quarter
- Atacama & Loma Coast - along the west coast of South America
- Great Sandy - undiscovered Australia
- Kalahari - southern Africa
- Namib - southwest coast of Africa
- Patagonia - the southern part of South America
- Sahara - the largest desert, in northern Africa
- Syrian - between Palestine and the Persian Gulf
- Takla Makan - far western China
- Taldy Kurgan - northern Turkestan
- Thar - west Indian subcontinent
- Gobi - north central China
- Ust-Urt & Kara Kum - vicinity of the Aral and Caspian seas
Common Features
Below is a list of elements and features that are common to desert ranges:
- Alkali Pool
- Bench (landform)
- Black Sand
- Caravansary
- Cauldera
- Chasm
- Cleft Valley (modern graben)
- Cliff Dwelling
- Crater (landform)
- Dust Bowl
- Erg
- Esker
- Fossa
- Gorge
- Labyrinthus
- Lava Flow
- Lightning Sand
- Mare (sand plain)
- Mesa
- Mountain Knot
- Natural Bridge
- Oasis
- Petrified Forest
- Phantom City
- Regolith
- Rock Station
- Salt Flat
- Sand Crust
- Scabland
- Scrub Field
- Sinkhole
- Stone Desert
- Sunken Land (modern depression)
- Tholus
- Volcanic Gas
- Wadi
- Wailing Waste
Desert Creatures
The following monsters are common to desert ranges.
- Bat (giant)
- Bull Ant (giant)
- Camel (wild)
- Cheetah
- Chimera
- Dog (wild)
- Dragonis Aeriochalkos (brass dragon)
- Dragonne
- Eagle (giant)
- Elephant (Asiatic)
- Emu
- Giant (fire)
- Griffon
- Horse (wild)
- Hyena
- Jackal (golden)
- Jackalwere
- Jaguar
- Lamassu
- Lamia
- Leopard
- Leucrotta
- Lion
- Lizard (fire)
- Lizard (megalomania)
- Sable Antelope
- Warthog
See Also,
Blightlander (sage study)
List of Ranges
