Question

Topography, or the forms and features of the lands surface, can have a large impact on the climate of the area. Choose one topographic feature and explain how it impacts climate.

Answer 1

Mountain ranges can significantly impact climate through orographic lifting and the formation of rain shadows.

Step-by-step explanation:

One topographic feature that can have a significant impact on climate is mountain ranges. As air is forced to rise over mountains, it cools and condenses, leading to the formation of clouds and precipitation. This process, known as orographic lifting, can result in one side of the mountain range experiencing higher rainfall, while the other side, known as the rain shadow, tends to be drier. For example, the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California causes the western side to receive abundant rainfall, while the eastern side is much drier.

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