A temporary salt lake found in arid and semi-arid area is also called

Analyze the question: The question asks for the name of a temporary salt lake found in desert (arid and semi-arid) regions.

Explain the concept: In arid areas, rain is rare but sometimes heavy. Water from the rain flows into low-lying basins with no outlet to the sea. The water then evaporates quickly in the heat and leaves behind salts. Such a lake is temporary and salty.

Here is what each option means:

• A. Playa: A flat, dry lake bed in a desert basin. It fills with water briefly after rain, forming a shallow, temporary salt lake. When the water evaporates, it leaves a crust of salt. It is also called a salt pan or salina.
• B. Wadi: A dry river valley or channel in the desert. It carries water only after rain. It is a channel, not a lake.
• C. Bajada: A gentle slope at the foot of a mountain, formed when several alluvial fans join together. It is not a lake.
• D. Messa: This is not a recognised term for a lake. It is probably a misspelling of mesa, a flat-topped hill with steep sides, which is a landform and not a lake.

Solution: A temporary lake that holds water only after rain and leaves salt behind when it dries is a playa.

Tip: Remember "Playa = Pan of salt". Playa sounds like "plain" or "play", a flat area where water briefly "plays" and then disappears. Also remember the other desert terms:

• Wadi = dry river valley
• Mesa = flat-topped hill
• Bajada = foothill slope
• Playa = temporary salt lake