Large smooth elongated windblown deposits that extend parallel to the prevailing wind are known as what?

The correct response describes a specific type of landform created by the action of wind over time. Large, smooth, elongated deposits that extend parallel to the prevailing wind are recognized as whalebacks. Whalebacks are formed from sediment that has been shaped by wind erosion and subsequently deposited, resulting in their characteristic smooth and streamlined appearance.

Dunes, while also windblown deposits, typically have a more irregular shape and are formed by accumulation of sand rather than creating the elongated form that whalebacks exhibit. Loess refers to windblown silt deposits, which are not the smooth, elongated shapes noted in the question, but rather fine particles that accumulate in thick layers. Sandbars are typically associated with the action of water rather than wind, formed by the deposition of sand in shallow water areas, which makes them fundamentally different from windblown features.

Understanding the specific characteristics of whalebacks highlights the influence of prevailing winds in shaping these unique geological features over time.