Geocentric Science

Mountains help to control the climate. Mountains can act as barriers, keeping out the cold, and can help to create deserts.

The Orographic Effect causes the windward side of mountains to receive significantly more precipitation than the leeward side of the mountain. This is observed along the Cascades Mountain Range.

• Warm and moisture rich water comes off the Pacific Ocean
• The air mass is blown up the windward side of the mountain
• Air pressure decreases, the air mass spreads out, and the amount of molecular collisions decrease
• The temperature decreases and relative humidity increases
• The air mass continues to rise and cool and eventually cools to its dew point temperature, and precipitation occurs
• By the time the air mass reaches the top of the mountain, it is cold and has lost most of its moisture
• When the air mass begins to descend on the leeward side, air pressure increases
• The air mass is compressed
• The amount of molecular collisions increase
• Temperature increases and relative humidity decreases
• The resulting air mass is hot and dry