Mud lions, also known as yardangs, are rock outcroppings formed by constant winds laden with abrasive sand in hot, dry areas. They often take centuries to form and can resemble people, animals, or structures. Mud lions are associated with desertification and can be found in Africa and North America.
A mud lion is a geographic feature that forms in a desert area. Mud lions are created when winds laden with abrasive sand repeatedly scour the rock, creating outcroppings of material that can often transform into fanciful shapes, especially when people look at them with their imaginations in mind. Mud lion development is often a sign of desertification, as they are associated with hot, dry areas with constant winds; in areas with abundant natural humidity, mud lions cannot form, as the wind cannot collect dry dust and dirt.
As a general rule, a mud lion forms from soft rock, such as limestone or sandstone, although mud lions can also be formed from harder materials. It can take centuries for a mud lion to appear, and they often appear in groups, like ridges along the desert surface. Mud lions are also known as yardangs, from a Turkish word that is used to refer to steep banks. “Yardang” entered the English language in the early 1900s.
For a yardang to form, conditions must be warm and dry, and the wind must be constant. The wind must also come from a constant direction, because otherwise the rock would be equally worn, simply melting rather than forming a distinctive outcrop. These conditions are common in many parts of Africa, especially in the Egyptian desert where mud lions are quite abundant.
As the slang term “mud lion” suggests, yardangs often erode into shapes that look like people, animals, or structures. Some historians have suggested that the Sphinx may have started out as a mud lion before being enhanced by Egyptian masons. Some people refer to mud lions as natural Sphinxes, since many of them end up looking quite Sphinx-like, thanks to the fact that they tend to develop a tapered shape, with the windward end being much bulkier than the upper end. downwind.
In addition to Africa, mud lions can also be seen in North America, where they abound in national parks that include desert areas. These yardangs can vary widely in size and shape, from monolithic and relatively new outcrops to small, old hazelnuts. Sometimes, the conditions are just right to drill a hole through a mud lion, tunneling through the outcrop which can make for a truly remarkable sight.
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