Final Answer:
The fan along the Black Mountains in Death Valley, CA, developed primarily due to wind erosion and deposition.
a. Wind erosion and deposition
Step-by-step explanation:
Wind plays a crucial role in shaping landscapes through the transportation and deposition of sediments. In arid regions like Death Valley, where water erosion is limited, wind becomes a dominant geological agent.
Wind erosion occurs when the wind lifts and transports loose particles, such as sand and silt, from one location to another. In the case of the Black Mountains fan, prevailing winds likely carried sediments and deposited them at the base of the mountains, creating the characteristic fan-shaped landform. The process of deposition is influenced by factors such as wind velocity and the size and weight of particles.
The specific conditions in Death Valley, characterized by low precipitation and strong winds, enhance the impact of wind erosion. Over time, the continuous action of the wind leads to the accumulation of sediments, resulting in the formation of a fan-shaped landform along the base of the Black Mountains. Understanding the interplay between wind dynamics and geological processes helps explain the origin and development of this unique landform in Death Valley, CA.
Therefore, the correct option is a. Wind erosion and deposition