Which mechanism causes orographic precipitation on the windward side of a coastal mountain range near a subduction zone?

💡 Explanation

When moist air is forced to rise over a mountain range near a subduction zone, adiabatic cooling occurs because the air parcel expands in lower atmospheric pressure, causing water vapor to condense and form precipitation. Therefore adiabatic cooling explains orographic lift, rather than fault line seepage, radiation, or geothermal vents needing alternate mechanisms.

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