Question

What role do cold ocean currents play in desert formation?

1. Cold ocean currents cool the air above them, leading to suppression of rainfall.
2. The Benguela Current is associated with the formation of the Kalahari Desert.
3. The Humboldt Current contributes to the arid conditions of the Atacama Desert.
4. Cold ocean currents increase humidity and promote heavy rainfall along coastlines.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1, 4
• C. 1, 2, 3
• D. All

Answer 1

Answer:

C. 1, 2, 3

• 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