Final answer:
Tectonic activity and erosion are two key processes responsible for creating varied relief, including lower elevation areas between highlands and adjacent regions, through uplift, subsidence, and the wearing down of landmasses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Processes Responsible for Relief and Lower Elevation Regions:
Two essential processes responsible for creating relief and lower elevation regions between the eastern edge of a plateau and a strike-slip fault further east are tectonic activity and erosion. Tectonic forces can cause uplift and subsidence, shaping the earth's surface and resulting in varied topographic features including plateaus, mountains, and valleys. Erosion, on the other hand, contributes significantly to relief formation by wearing down elevated areas through the action of water and wind, leading to the creation of lower-elevation regions.
Specifically, in areas like the Great Rift Valley, the uplift of highlands can restrict precipitation due to rain shadow effects, leading to drier conditions to the leeward side. This process can contribute to lower elevations due to lesser soil development, as erosion prevails over deposition. The coupling of these processes often results in a mosaic of highlands and depressed regions, influencing the local climate and biogeography.