What latitudes are deserts found?
Deserts cover around 20% of the Earth and are on every continent. They are mainly found around 30 to 50 degrees latitude, called the mid-latitudes. These areas are about halfway between the equator and the north and south poles. Remember that moist, hot air always rises from the equator.
Where are deserts located Why?
Deserts are often found towards the west of continents. Some deserts are found on the western edges of continents. They are caused by cold ocean currents, which run along the coast. They cool the air and make it harder to hold moisture.
Why are deserts found at mid latitudes?
The mid-latitude deserts are found in the temperate zone, which is relatively cooler than tropical and subtropical areas. Therefore, high atmospheric pressure and low moisture exist in these deserts, which are the main factors responsible for low precipitation.
Where are deserts usually located?
Although most deserts, such as the Sahara of North Africa and the deserts of the southwestern U.S., Mexico, and Australia, occur at low latitudes, another kind of desert, cold deserts, occur in the basin and range area of Utah and Nevada and in parts of western Asia.
Why do deserts exist at 30 latitude?
Most of the world's deserts are located near 30 degrees north latitude and 30 degrees south latitude, where the heated equatorial air begins to descend. The descending air is dense and begins to warm again, evaporating large amounts of water from the land surface. The resulting climate is very dry.
Why are deserts not found on the equator?
(Deserts do not occur near the Equator, tropics occur there). Higher in the atmosphere, the now cold, dry air rises and moves away from the equator. At about 30 degree latitudes in both hemispheres (north and south), the air descends.
Why are deserts located near the equator?
Hot, moist air rises into the atmosphere near the Equator. As the air rises, it cools and drops its moisture as heavy tropical rains. The resulting cooler, drier air mass moves away from the Equator.
Why are deserts found at 30 degrees latitude Upsc?
Answer: Deserts are created due to arid and semi-arid conditions because of the lack of moisture. It is accelerated by intense heating. Between 20-30 degree north latitude the insulation is relatively direct and less scattered and reflected by the atmosphere.
Why do low latitude deserts exist?
LOW LATITUDE DESERTS (in the region of "sinking winds"). The direct sun on the equator region warms the air where it rises. Rising, moist air releases its precipitation as it rises in the equator region. The dry air moves toward the poles and cools and sinks in regions 15-30 degrees north/south latitude.
Why are many of the world’s deserts found at 15 to 35 degrees latitude?
Why are many of the world's deserts found at 15 to 35 degrees latitude? Descending air masses warm as they go, absorbing more water vapor. Certain regions on the deep sea floor can achieve constant and high species density near: hydrothermal vents.
Why are deserts located between 20 30 latitudes?
Deserts are created due to arid and semi-arid conditions because of the lack of moisture. It is accelerated by intense heating. Between 20-30 degree north latitude the insulation is relatively direct and less scattered and reflected by the atmosphere. Intense heating takes place in this zone.
Why are deserts not on the equator?
(Deserts do not occur near the Equator, tropics occur there). Higher in the atmosphere, the now cold, dry air rises and moves away from the equator. At about 30 degree latitudes in both hemispheres (north and south), the air descends. As it does, it warms.
Why are there many deserts at 30 latitude quizlet?
Why are many of the world's deserts found at 23 to 30 degrees latitude? Descending air masses warm as they go, absorbing more water vapor. Which of the following regions in the ocean is sunlight able to penetrate? Many coastal regions show very high levels of productivity.