The Deserts of Death Valley Formed as a Result of ____

Question

The deserts of Death Valley formed as a result of ____.
A)the greenhouse effect
B)increased solar radiation
C)the rain shadow effect
D)ocean circulation
E)persistent pressure systems

Accepted Answer

The rain shadow effect occurs when moist air rises over a mountain range, cools, and drops its moisture as precipitation. As the now-dry air descends on the other side of the mountain, it becomes warmer and drier, leading to the formation of a desert. Death Valley is located on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, which creates a rain shadow effect and results in the extremely dry and hot conditions found in the valley.