Sandless deserts
Would it surprise you to learn that there are deserts with hardly any sand?
Wind blown sand and dust can polish rocks until they are smooth and shiny. Over time a rind (like on a big cheese) builds up on the surface of the rocks. This is called desert varnish.
Wind carries away smaller particles like sand and dust. Rocks 
and pebbles that are too heavy for the wind to pick up get left behind. Eventually a layer of rocks is concentrated on the ground surface. The layer of rocks is called a desert pavement, gibber plain or hamada.
Wind blown sand wears rocks away until they develop flat surfaces. A different surface forms for each direction that the wind blows. These rocks are called ventifact.
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- Sand grains
- Wind
- Abraded surface
- Ventifact
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