Landscapes in hot, arid environments, like deserts, are shaped by three main processes: erosion, weathering, and deposition. While deserts receive very little rainfall, when it does rain, it can drastically affect the landscape. Wind also plays a significant role in erosion, and due to the lack of moisture and vegetation, its effects can be much more pronounced in deserts.

Real-world example: Think of erosion like a sculptor - when the wind blows, it's like the sculptor brushing across their clay artwork, slowly shaping it. Just like an artist, erosion needs time and the right conditions to create its masterpieces.

In desert environments, two types of weathering are particularly important: salt crystallization and disintegration.

• Salt crystallization: This occurs when solutions of salt cause rocks to decompose. It happens in two main ways. The first involves the expansion of certain types of salts by around 300% at certain temperatures, which puts pressure on rock joints and causes them to crack. The second way is when water evaporates, leaving behind salt crystals that expand and put pressure on the rock as temperature rises.

• Disintegration: This is commonly found in areas where there is a big difference between day and night temperatures. Rocks heat up during the day and contract at night, causing outer layers of the rock to peel or exfoliate. It's like a rock "sunburn"!

Real-world example: Have you ever left a bottle of soda in the freezer? If so, you've probably seen a mini-version of these weathering processes in action. The water in the soda expands when it freezes, causing the bottle to crack - just like salt crystallization. Similarly, the heat of the freezer's light could cause the label on the soda bottle to peel, similar to disintegration.

Water, in the form of rainfall, rivers or even water tables, is essential for many desert landforms. It also plays a significant role in mechanical and chemical weathering in deserts.

Real-world example: When it does rain in the desert, it often results in flash floods that can rush down mountains, carrying rocks and debris - think of it as nature's version of a road cleaning service, scrubbing and carrying away fragments from the mountain's surface.