Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (12th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0134074254
ISBN 13: 978-0-13407-425-2

Chapter 19 - Give It Some Thought - Page 592: 3

Answer

From the classic view of Earth from space, three visible deserts are: 1. Sahara Desert: Located in North Africa, the Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world. It is dry due to its location within the subtropical high-pressure zone, where descending air inhibits the formation of clouds and precipitation. 2. Arabian Desert: Situated in the Arabian Peninsula, this desert is influenced by similar factors as the Sahara. It falls within the subtropical high-pressure belt, resulting in dry conditions. 3. Atacama Desert: Found in South America along the western coast, the Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on Earth. Its dryness is mainly attributed to the presence of the cold Humboldt Current offshore, which cools the air and reduces its ability to hold moisture, leading to minimal rainfall. The band of clouds observed in the region of the equator is the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). It is caused by the convergence of trade winds from the northern and southern hemispheres, leading to the rising of warm, moist air. As the air rises, it cools, condenses, and forms clouds, resulting in frequent rainfall along the equator. This belt of clouds and rainfall moves seasonally, following the migration of the sun and creating the wet and dry seasons in tropical regions.

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