How do mountains influence where deserts are found?
Quick Answer
Mountains block moist air and create dry rain-shadow basins on their leeward side. They can also trap cold, dry air and shape local desert climates.
The Full Story
Mountains play a major role in placing deserts on the map. When moist air rises over a range, precipitation falls on one side and the other side becomes much drier, often producing a rain shadow desert. Mountain basins can also be far from ocean moisture sources, making them prone to aridity. In some regions, high plateaus and interior basins are dry because surrounding mountains limit the inflow of moist air. Examples include the Atacama near the Andes and the Great Basin region of the western United States. Together, topography and atmospheric circulation can create deserts even at high elevations.
Key Facts
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