Which of the following best explains why the Great Basin and Mojave deserts of western North America exist?
A)The two deserts lie in the rain shadow of coastal mountains.
B)The two deserts lie in the trade winds.
C)The two deserts lie near the equator.
D)The two deserts lie thousands of kilometers from the ocean.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Great Basin and Mojave deserts exist primarily because they lie in the rain shadow of coastal mountains. This means that as moist air masses move inland from the ocean, they are forced to rise over the mountains, cooling and dropping their moisture as rain on the windward side. By the time the air descends on the leeward side, where these deserts are located, it is dry, creating arid conditions.

Which of the Following Best Explains Why the Great Basin