Question

Identify the primary atmospheric circulation pattern associated with the location of large hot deserts.

1. The Hadley Cell dominates atmospheric circulation in tropical areas.
2. Large hot deserts are typically found under the descending limb of the Hadley Cell.
3. The ascending limb of the Hadley Cell, which brings rainfall, is characteristic of desert regions.
4. The Ferrel Cell is the primary driver of desert formation in tropical latitudes.

• A. 1, 2
• B. 1 only
• C. 2, 4
• D. All

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1, 2

• Deserts are also located in the interior of con-tinents.

• Their interior location prevents them from re-ceiving moisture from the oceans.

• The Gobi desert has been formed due to the inland location as well as the rain shadow ef fect.

• The presence of cold ocean currents also favours the formation of deserts.

• Air in contact with cold ocean waters is cooled from below and this leads to suppression of rainfall.

• The formation of the Kalahari desert in Africa and the Atacama desert in South America is aided by the effects of the Benguela and Humboldt currents respectively