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Q60 (CDS-I/2020) Geography › World Physical Geography › Atmospheric pressure winds Answer Verified

In the Hadley cell thermal circulation, air rises up and finally descends at

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: C
Explanation

The Hadley cell is a major atmospheric circulation pattern in the tropics. Air rises near the equator at the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), also known as the equatorial low-pressure belt or doldrums, due to intense solar heating and convection [4]. This rising air reaches the top of the troposphere and moves poleward [5]. As the air travels toward higher latitudes, it cools and becomes more dense, eventually descending at approximately 30° N and 30° S latitudes [5]. This sinking branch of the Hadley cell creates the subtropical high-pressure cells, also referred to as the subtropical ridge or horse latitudes [1]. These regions are characterized by high surface pressure, calm winds, and arid conditions because the descending air suppresses cloud formation and precipitation [5]. Therefore, while the air rises at the ITCZ, it finally descends at the subtropical high-pressure cells.

Sources

  1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 23: Pressure Systems and Wind System > Hadley Cell > p. 317
  2. [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 23: Pressure Systems and Wind System > Equatorial Low-Pressure Belt or 'Doldrums' > p. 311
  3. [4] INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate > Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) > p. 30
  4. [5] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 23: Pressure Systems and Wind System > Hadley Cell > p. 316
  5. [2] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems > General circulation of the atmosphere > p. 80
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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CDS-II · 2024 · Q9 Relevance score: -0.83

Consider the following statements: 1. Hadley cells are key to understanding the wind patterns of Earth. 2. Hadley cells are formed because the Equator is heated more strongly by the Sun than other places, creating thermal circulations. With regard to the statements given above, which of the following is correct?

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Which of the following statements) is/are correct? 1. Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone is a low pressure belt which forms an important zone of contact over Northern India and Pakistan. 2. Inter-Tropical Covergennce Zone invites inflow of winds from different directions.

CDS-I · 2013 · Q75 Relevance score: -6.76

The planetary winds that blow from the subtropical high- pressure belts to the Equator are known as—