The Mojave Desert lies to the east of the coastal and Sierra Nevada mountains in California. Deserts in Chile lie to the west of the Andes mountains. Both the California and the Andes mountains run along the west coast of their respective continents. What probably accounts for the fact that one desert is on the east side of its neighboring mountain range, while the other is on the west side of its neighboring mountain range?
A)Winds to the west of the Andes dry the air and create the deserts.
B)Winds move from east to west along the Andes in the southern hemisphere.
C)The Andes are very high, and block any wind that might move over.
D)The Andes are a young mountain range and there hasn't been enough time for plants to colonize the range.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The prevailing winds in the southern hemisphere blow from east to west along the Andes mountains, which creates arid conditions and deserts on the west side. In the case of the Mojave Desert, the coastal and Sierra Nevada mountains act as a barrier to the moist air coming from the Pacific Ocean, causing it to lose moisture before reaching the Mojave Desert and creating arid conditions on the east side.

The Mojave Desert Lies to the East of the Coastal