If ephemeral lakes form they are called playa lakes , often with evaporite deposits in the closed basins. The last stage is a pediplane equivalent to the peneplain of moist areas, except at a higher elevation. Wind is a much more effective erosive agent in deserts than in humid areas, as plants are excellent baffles reducing wind velocity, and protect the soil. 4mm grains are as large as the wind can move, and sand sized particles can be carried in saltation usually within 1m of the surface over hard rock, and closer to the ground on sandy surfaces. Ventifacts are produced by sandblasting of rocks on the surface.
Cut surfaces are normal to the wind direction.
The Qattara of western Egypt is 300km long and -134m in elevation, full of salt and moving sand. Dust can be carried great distances by the wind - ie. Clay particles are not easy to lift because of their cohesion and wind shadows on the surface. The dust bowl of the 1930's and similar dust storms today are heavily influenced by human breakage of the original soil surface. Loess in the central USA came from windblown glacial flour.