Q146 (IAS/2002) Geography › World Physical Geography › Atmospheric pressure winds Answer Verified

Assertion (A) : 60°-65° latitudes in both the hemispheres have a low pressure belt instead of high pressure. Reason (R) : The low pressure areas are permanent over oceans rather than on land.

Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A

Both A and R are individually true but R is not a correct explanation of A

A is true but R is false

A is false but R is true

Result

Your answer: — · Correct: C

Explanation

Assertion (A) is correct: around 60°–65° latitudes there exist subpolar (temperate) low pressure belts where surface air converges and rises, especially over oceans [3]. However the Reason (R) is false as stated — these low pressure belts are not permanent features and are not described as permanently over oceans rather than land. Texts state that pressure belts oscillate seasonally and subpolar lows are best developed or mainly encountered over oceans because oceans moderate temperature contrasts, making the lows more pronounced there, not because they are permanent over water; in fact the pressure belts are not permanent in nature [3]. Thus A true, R false.

Sources

[1] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 14: Climate > Pressure and Planetary Winds > p. 139
[3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 23: Pressure Systems and Wind System > Sub-Polar Low-Pressure Belt > p. 313
[2] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems > World Distribution of Sea Level Pressure > p. 77

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Assertion (A) : 60°-65° latitudes in both the hemispheres have a low pressure belt instead of high pressure. Reason (R) : The low pressure areas are permanent over oceans rather than on land.

Explanation

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

Assertion (A) : Higher pressure occurs at lower latitudes as compared to higher latitudes. Reason (R) : The region of lower latitudes receive more heat from solar radiation as compared to the regions of higher latitudes.

Consider the following statements: 1. Either of the two belts over the oceans at about 30’ to 35° N and S Latitudes is known as Horse Latitude. 2. Horse Latitudes are low pressure belts. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Assertion (A) : Areas lying within five to eight degrees latitude on either side of the equator receive rainfall throughout the year. Reason (R) : High temperatures and high humidity cause convectional rain to fall mostly in the afternoons near the equator.

Assertion (A) : In temperate cyclones winds below from the periphery towards its centre. Reason (R) : There is high pressure in the centre of temperate cyclone.

Assertion (A): The salinity of oceans is relatively higher near the equator than at other regions. Reason (R): Equator region has heavy rainfall, high relative humidity and calm air.