Homework Help is Here – Start Your Trial Now!
Science
Earth Science
3. Using the diagram and your knowledge of insolation to explain why most deserts are located at 30° N and S. Your answer:

3. Using the diagram and your knowledge of insolation to explain why most deserts are located at 30° N and S. Your answer:

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1LR
See similar textbooks
icon
Related questions
Question
please help
### Why Most Deserts are Located at 30° N and S #### Question 3 **Using the diagram and your knowledge of insolation to explain why most deserts are located at 30° N and S.** *Your answer:* --- **Explanation:** Deserts are typically found around 30° North (N) and South (S) due to the Earth's atmospheric circulation patterns. At the equator, intense solar radiation heats the air, causing it to rise. This rising air cools and loses moisture through precipitation. As it moves higher, it splits and travels towards the poles. Around 30° N and S, the now dry air descends. This descending air warms up and absorbs moisture from the surface, creating arid conditions conducive to desert formation. Insolation, which is the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface, also plays a key role. The areas around 30° N and S receive indirect sunlight compared to the equator, which leads to less warming and thus, drier conditions. --- This text would help students understand the geographical and meteorological reasons behind the predominant locations of deserts around the world.
Transcribed Image Text:### Why Most Deserts are Located at 30° N and S #### Question 3 **Using the diagram and your knowledge of insolation to explain why most deserts are located at 30° N and S.** *Your answer:* --- **Explanation:** Deserts are typically found around 30° North (N) and South (S) due to the Earth's atmospheric circulation patterns. At the equator, intense solar radiation heats the air, causing it to rise. This rising air cools and loses moisture through precipitation. As it moves higher, it splits and travels towards the poles. Around 30° N and S, the now dry air descends. This descending air warms up and absorbs moisture from the surface, creating arid conditions conducive to desert formation. Insolation, which is the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface, also plays a key role. The areas around 30° N and S receive indirect sunlight compared to the equator, which leads to less warming and thus, drier conditions. --- This text would help students understand the geographical and meteorological reasons behind the predominant locations of deserts around the world.
## Global Atmospheric Circulation ### Diagram Explanation: The provided diagram illustrates the Earth's global atmospheric circulation pattern. This circulation is essential to understanding weather patterns and climate. ### Key Components: 1. **Latitude Markings:** - The Earth is divided into different latitudinal lines at 0° (equator), 30°N, 30°S, 60°N, and 60°S, showing how the circulation changes with latitude. 2. **Wind Patterns:** - **0° (Equator):** Characterized by wet conditions due to rising warm air that leads to higher precipitation rates. - **30°N and 30°S:** These regions are marked by dry conditions as the air descends, warming, and leading to lower precipitation. - **60°N and 60°S:** These regions exhibit wet conditions again due to the convergence and rising of air leading to precipitation. - **Winds:** Noted as N.E. Winds (Northeast), S.W. Winds (Southwest), N.W. Winds (Northwest), and S.E. Winds (Southeast). 3. **Jet Streams:** - **Polar Front Jet Stream:** Found at the boundaries near 60°N and 60°S, it marks the zone where cold polar air meets warmer air from the tropics. - **Subtropical Jet Streams:** Located around 30°N and 30°S, this jet stream is associated with the descending air of the Hadley cell and the dry conditions at these latitudes. 4. **Fronts and the Tropopause:** - **Polar Front:** This is the boundary between the cold polar air and the warmer subtropical air. - **Tropopause:** The boundary layer between the troposphere and the stratosphere, where the temperature trend with height often reverses. 5. **Convection Cells:** - **Hadley Cells:** Present from the equator to about 30°N and 30°S. Warm air rises at the equator, moves towards the poles at high altitudes, cools, and sinks at around 30°N and 30°S. - **Ferrel Cells:** Found between 30° and 60° latitudes in both hemispheres. They operate in the opposite manner to the Hadley Cells, helping drive the mid-latitude weather patterns.
Transcribed Image Text:## Global Atmospheric Circulation ### Diagram Explanation: The provided diagram illustrates the Earth's global atmospheric circulation pattern. This circulation is essential to understanding weather patterns and climate. ### Key Components: 1. **Latitude Markings:** - The Earth is divided into different latitudinal lines at 0° (equator), 30°N, 30°S, 60°N, and 60°S, showing how the circulation changes with latitude. 2. **Wind Patterns:** - **0° (Equator):** Characterized by wet conditions due to rising warm air that leads to higher precipitation rates. - **30°N and 30°S:** These regions are marked by dry conditions as the air descends, warming, and leading to lower precipitation. - **60°N and 60°S:** These regions exhibit wet conditions again due to the convergence and rising of air leading to precipitation. - **Winds:** Noted as N.E. Winds (Northeast), S.W. Winds (Southwest), N.W. Winds (Northwest), and S.E. Winds (Southeast). 3. **Jet Streams:** - **Polar Front Jet Stream:** Found at the boundaries near 60°N and 60°S, it marks the zone where cold polar air meets warmer air from the tropics. - **Subtropical Jet Streams:** Located around 30°N and 30°S, this jet stream is associated with the descending air of the Hadley cell and the dry conditions at these latitudes. 4. **Fronts and the Tropopause:** - **Polar Front:** This is the boundary between the cold polar air and the warmer subtropical air. - **Tropopause:** The boundary layer between the troposphere and the stratosphere, where the temperature trend with height often reverses. 5. **Convection Cells:** - **Hadley Cells:** Present from the equator to about 30°N and 30°S. Warm air rises at the equator, moves towards the poles at high altitudes, cools, and sinks at around 30°N and 30°S. - **Ferrel Cells:** Found between 30° and 60° latitudes in both hemispheres. They operate in the opposite manner to the Hadley Cells, helping drive the mid-latitude weather patterns.
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

SEE SOLUTIONCheck out a sample Q&A here
Blurred answer
Recommended textbooks for you
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science …
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science …
Earth Science
ISBN:
9780134746241
Author:
Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:
PEARSON
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:
9780134041360
Author:
Greg Carbone
Publisher:
PEARSON
Environmental Science
Environmental Science
Earth Science
ISBN:
9781260153125
Author:
William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:
9780134543536
Author:
Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:
PEARSON
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Earth Science
ISBN:
9781337569613
Author:
G. Tyler Miller, Scott Spoolman
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Physical Geology
Physical Geology
Earth Science
ISBN:
9781259916823
Author:
Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, Lisa
Publisher:
Mcgraw-hill Education,
SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS