Back to topics

How can a mountain make one side wetter than the other?

In Hawaii, moist air rises over mountains, cools, and can release precipitation. Air reaching the leeward side may then help produce a drier area, depending on wind and local conditions.

4–5 min

Questions you could explore

  • Why does rising air favor condensation?
  • What would change if the prevailing airflow changed?

Start reading

Ready to try your ideas aloud?

Your topic carries over. Record up to 2½ minutes, depending on your plan.

The same Sun can light a blue afternoon and a red evening

Earth and weather3–5 minSunlight takes a different route through the atmosphere near the horizon than overhead. Which colors scatter along that route helps explain a blue afternoon and a red sunset.

Earth and weather

How can lines on a map show a steep hill?

A flat map can warn you that a route climbs sharply before you ever see the hill. Contour lines join places of equal height, and their spacing adds information about how quickly the ground rises.

2–3 min

How can lines on a map show a steep hill?

Earth and weather2–3 minA flat map can warn you that a route climbs sharply before you ever see the hill. Contour lines join places of equal height, and their spacing adds information about how quickly the ground rises.

Earth and weather

How can an earthquake alert arrive before strong shaking?

An earthquake alert can beat the strongest shaking to a distant location even though the earthquake has already started. Detection and communication can travel ahead of the damaging waves, but nearby places may receive little or no warning.

4–5 min

How can an earthquake alert arrive before strong shaking?

Earth and weather4–5 minAn earthquake alert can beat the strongest shaking to a distant location even though the earthquake has already started. Detection and communication can travel ahead of the damaging waves, but nearby places may receive little or no warning.

How can a mountain make one side wetter than the other? | Speech Topic | speaking.app