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Difficulty: EasyPhysical Geography of the World

Which of the following planetary wind belts blows continuously from the Subtropical High-Pressure Belts toward the Equatorial Low-Pressure Belt in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?

  1. Trade WindsAnswer
  2. B
    Westerlies
  3. C
    Polar Easterlies
  4. D
    Monsoons

Answer

The Trade Winds blow from the Subtropical High-Pressure Belts toward the Equatorial Low-Pressure Belt.
The Trade Winds are steady global planetary winds that originate in the Subtropical High-Pressure Belts and converge at the Equatorial Low-Pressure Belt (ITCZ). Due to the Coriolis effect, they blow from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary atmospheric pressure belts involved in equatorial surface circulation.
Air moves from the Subtropical High-Pressure Belts (located near 30° N and 30° S) toward the Equatorial Low-Pressure Belt (Doldrums).
Surface air flows naturally down the pressure gradient from areas of high pressure to low pressure.
2
Determine the name of the permanent planetary wind system created by this movement.
The winds moving toward the equator are deflected by the Coriolis force, creating the Northeast Trade Winds in the Northern Hemisphere and the Southeast Trade Winds in the Southern Hemisphere.
The planetary winds operating between the subtropical high pressure and equatorial low pressure are defined as Trade Winds.

Key Concept

Planetary Wind Systems and Global Pressure Belts
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Topics

Physical Geography of the World

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