Final answer:
The rain shadow effect creates d. drier conditions on the leeward side of mountains due to air masses losing moisture as they rise over and descend down the other side.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rain shadow effect refers to a climatic phenomenon where one side of a mountain receives significant rainfall, while the other side remains dry. When moist air rises over a mountain range, it cools and condenses, causing precipitation to fall on the windward side. As the air mass descends on the leeward side, it warms, becomes dryer, and creates semi-arid or arid conditions. This is observable in regions such as the Cascade ranges in Washington and Oregon, the Atacama region of Chile affected by the Andes, and the Hawaiian island of Kauai, among others. The correct answer to the question is c) Moister conditions on the windward side of mountain ranges.
The presence of a precipitation shadow can significantly influence local climates and, consequently, human activities and settlement patterns. Areas within the rain shadow tend to experience type B climates, characterized by dryness due to the reduced moisture in the air. This can lead to the development of deserts or semi-desert conditions as seen in eastern parts of Washington and Oregon, western China, and northern Chile.