How are loess deposits carried by wind?
Loess is a blanket mainly composed of fine silt transported and deposited by wind. It can develop near deserts and also where glaciers have supplied finely ground sediment.
Dust sources and deposition
Dry, sparsely vegetated surfaces supply fine material to the wind. Suspended dust settles as wind conditions change, and prolonged accumulation can create thick deposits. The material often lacks conspicuous water-laid bedding. Its sources vary among deserts, dry lakebeds and glacial outwash plains.
Soils and ground conditions
Fertile soils can develop on loess, but productivity depends on rainfall, organic matter and land management. Loose steep deposits can erode readily. Some loess ground may collapse structurally when wetted, though this cannot be assumed everywhere. Grain size, mineral composition and surrounding terrain help identify its origin.