What type of wind erosion lifted sediment into the air during the Dust Bowl?

What type of wind erosion lifted sediment into the air during the Dust Bowl?

• A. Creep
• B. Suspension
• C. Saltation
• D. Deposition

Answer: (B)

Suspension is the wind erosion process that lifts fine particles high into the air and keeps them there, often drifting long distances. In the Dust Bowl, a severe drought left the soil bare and loose, and strong winds could pick up very fine clay and silt particles. These small particles are light enough to be carried by turbulent wind for extended periods, creating the massive dust plumes characteristic of that era. In contrast, creep involves the slow rolling of larger grains along the ground, and saltation is the hopping motion of sand-sized particles that strike the surface and can knock dust into the air but don’t stay suspended for long. Deposition is the settling out of particles from the air. So the type of wind erosion that lifted sediment into the air during the Dust Bowl is suspension.

Suspension is the wind erosion process that lifts fine particles high into the air and keeps them there, often drifting long distances. In the Dust Bowl, a severe drought left the soil bare and loose, and strong winds could pick up very fine clay and silt particles. These small particles are light enough to be carried by turbulent wind for extended periods, creating the massive dust plumes characteristic of that era.

In contrast, creep involves the slow rolling of larger grains along the ground, and saltation is the hopping motion of sand-sized particles that strike the surface and can knock dust into the air but don’t stay suspended for long. Deposition is the settling out of particles from the air. So the type of wind erosion that lifted sediment into the air during the Dust Bowl is suspension.