How does the Karakum Desert differ from the nearby Kyzylkum Desert?

The Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts are both arid regions within the Turan Plain, separated by the valley of the Amu Darya river. While they share similar environmental characteristics, they differ in location and specific physical features:1

• Location: The Karakum Desert occupies approximately 70 percent of [Turkmenistan]. In contrast, the Kyzylkum Desert is situated in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, lying between the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers.23
• Physiography: The Karakum is characterized by wind-accumulated sand ridges, interdune clay depressions known as takyr, and salt marshes. The Kyzylkum is defined by a plain sloping toward the northwest, featuring isolated bare mountains reaching over 3,000 feet and several large enclosed basins.43
• Resources: The Kyzylkum is noted for its natural gas deposits at Gazli and gold mining at Muruntow. The Karakum’s depressions allow for limited agriculture, such as growing melons and grapes, where water collects.34