2006-10-18 15:37:39 · 8 answers · asked by Jocelyn 2 in Environment
Hi. The area in the MIDDLE of Las Vegas is also a desert. It just gets artificially irrigated and supplied with water. The mountains to the west prevent most rain from reaching that area.
2006-10-18 15:41:33 · answer #1 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The better question is - why is Las Vegas not a desert?
Answer - Water was diverted from the Colorado River to Los Angeles and Las Vegas to allow these cities to grow beyond what nature could support. The result is that the Colorado River no longer empties into the Pacific Ocean and the Native American tribes who live along the last several miles of the river now have no fresh water source and have lost their historic connection to their fishing heritage.
2006-10-18 15:43:48 · answer #2 · answered by JM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its in the rain shadow of the rocky mountains. It was all desert before Las Vegas was built there. Its only kept alive by importing copious amounts of fresh water from the colorado river.
2006-10-18 20:31:39 · answer #3 · answered by uselessadvice 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mountains force air that comes in from the Pacific Ocean to rise, and as it rises the moisture forms into precipatation that falls to Earth before and during the mountains.
2006-10-18 15:50:06 · answer #4 · answered by Patrick W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mountain ranges to the west block Pacific moisture by causing to fall on the west coast as the air rides over them.
2006-10-18 15:42:03 · answer #5 · answered by hrwwtp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mountains to the west. Its called rainshadowing.
2006-10-18 18:17:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lack of water and vegetation.
2006-10-18 15:44:42 · answer #7 · answered by Clown Knows 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
UHHHHHHHHH, could it be that the whole area IS A DESERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-10-18 15:45:16 · answer #8 · answered by Smokey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋