The diagram below shows how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
The diagram depicts the formation of rain-shadow deserts as moist air interacts with mountain range
The process consists of 7 stages, beginning with the moist air moving inland from sea and ending up with the formation of a desert on the Leeward side of a mountain. The notable feature is that rain falls on the windward side of one, while dry air accesses leeward side, making much drier conditions
At the beginning of the process winds approach the coast from the sea. As these winds reach the mountain range, they are pushed upwards along the mountain. When the moist air rises, it’s cooler, causing clouds to form on the top of the mountain. Eventually , the rain falls on the windward side, meaning that most of the moist air is removed in this stage
In the finals , the dry air continues over the mountain; it has mostly lost its moisture. It becomes drier as it goes down on the leeward side. The dry air then travels further inland under dry wind forms. Because very little water reaches these areas, creating insufficient moisture inland. Consequence, it gradually becomes a rain-shadow desert in the inland of the mountain
