Dust Storm over a desert. Have you ever experienced a dust storm like this one

Wind is a dominant agent of erosion, transport and deposition in deserts. This is because there is little vegetation or moisture to bind the loose surface material together. Wind erosion is mainly carried through three main processes namely: deflation, abrasion, and attrition.

Deflation

Loose materials from the ground are lifted and blown or transported to the direction where the wind is blowing. Sand particles are carried in the air slightly above the ground. While other materials such as pebbles may be rolled along the ground. Very fine materials like dust may be raised so high in the air and blown hundreds of kilometres away. Deflation leads to the lowering of desert surfaces to form extensive depressions known as deflation hollows.

Abrasion

The absence of trees and tall structures allows the wind to blow with great force. This uses load of wind blown materials especially sand grains as abrasive agent against the rock surface. Abrasion involves grinding and polishing rock surface. There is great abrasion at the base of the rock than at the top.

Attrition

This involves wearing down of the load itself as it is moved around. The materials keep hitting each other in the process of movement. The load especially boulders and the pebbles is smoothened and rounded.

Wind transports particles in different ways depending on their size left. A dust storm in the Middle East right.