Chapter 21, Problem 42A

Iceland, so named to discourage conquest by expanding empires, is not at all ice-covered like Greenland and parts of Siberia, even though it is nearly on the Arctic Circle. The average winter temperature of Iceland is considerably higher than regions at the same latitude in eastern Greenland and central Siberia. Why is this so?

To determine

To explain: The reason for the given situation.

Answer to Problem 42A

Surrounding ocean water warms Iceland.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Due to heat exchange, the water warms the air above it and when winds blow, then these winds is moved to the nearby land to give the warmth.

Even though Iceland is at the same latitude, where eastern Greenland and central Siberia is, Iceland is warmer in winter compared to the other two. The air above the ocean surface exchanges heats with the air above it in winter. Due to which air above it absorbs heat and moves towards the east that is on Iceland. This warm air then provides heat and warmth in the average winter as compared to eastern Greenland and central Siberia.

Conclusion:

Thus, due to surrounding ocean water, the air gets heated and while traveling towards the east, provides warmth to Iceland compared to eastern Greenland or central Siberia.