The High Desert
Our Researchers
Where Is It?
Why a High Desert?
Other Names
Really a Desert?
Elevation
Climate
Terrain
Micro-Climates
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The High Desert |
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| Home Our Researchers Where Is It? Why a High Desert? Other Names Really a Desert? Elevation Climate Terrain Micro-Climates Ecology Animals Geology Paleontology Photos Maps Hikes Related Studies |
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| Little rain falls because most of the moisture in the air coming from the Pacific Ocean falls as rain as the air is forced up, first over the Coast Mountain Range, and then over the much higher Cascade Mountain Range. As the humid air from the ocean travels east and rises over the mountains it cools and cannot hold as much moisture; therefore droplets form and rain falls. By the time the air is over the mountains it is very dry. Therefore we have a desert. The desert is at a relatively high elevation. | ||||||
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