Correct Option
The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
Wind acts as a prominent geomorphic agent in arid and semi-arid regions (deserts). It shapes the landscape through two primary processes: erosion (abrasion and deflation) and deposition (accumulation of transported materials).
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Mushroom rocks are characteristic landforms found in deserts, not river valleys. They are created by the mechanical weathering and abrasion caused by wind. River valleys are landforms associated with the erosional work of running water.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Winds transport sand and dust particles. The concentration of coarser and heavier sand grains is significantly higher near the ground surface. As a result, the abrasive action of the wind is most effective at the base of rock formations. This leads to the lower section of the rock being eroded more than the upper part, creating a structure with a narrow base and a broad top, resembling a mushroom.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Sand dunes are depositional landforms. When the wind velocity drops or the wind encounters an obstacle (such as a rock or vegetation), it drops its load of sand. These accumulations form low hill-like structures known as sand dunes.
Key Takeaway: Mushroom rocks are products of differential wind erosion (undercutting), while sand dunes are products of wind deposition in desert environments.