In arid zones, the paucity of vegetation cover and the lack of moisture produce weathering, erosion and transport processes that differ markedly from those in other environments. Consequently, landforms and landscape change in arid zones will differ. Biological weathering may be important locally. Insolation Extreme diurnal temperature variations have often been invoked as a major cause of rock breakdown in deserts. Proponents argue that these ranges set up sufficient stresses that exceed the inherent tensile strength of many rocks.
Many researchers are sceptical of insolation as being a prime means for rock breakdown in deserts.
First, it has been shown that moisture is more prevalent in deserts than first thought and may be the driving mechanism in rock fracturing. Secondly, laboratory experiments in which rocks have been subject to simulated desert conditions have failed to confirm field observations. Fourthly, many weathering features attributed to insolation, such as exfoliation, have been found at depth far removed from the influence of diurnal variations. So clearly, the jury is still out on insolation weathering. Although desert environments are dry, few areas are hyper-arid and most receive moisture in a wide variety of forms.