Q6 (CAPF/2014) Geography › World Physical Geography › Atmospheric pressure winds Answer Verified

Statement I : The Doldrums is a low pressure area around the Equator where the prevailing winds are calm Statement I : Low pressure is caused by the heat at the Equator which makes the air rise and travel both Northwards and Southwards

Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I

Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I

Statement I is true but Statement II is false

Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Result

Your answer: — · Correct: A

Explanation

Statement I is correct as the Doldrums, or the Equatorial Low Pressure Belt, is characterized by extremely calm air movements and light winds [2]. This belt lies between 10° N and 10° S, where trade winds from both hemispheres converge [5]. Statement II provides the correct scientific explanation for this phenomenon. Intense solar insolation at the Equator causes the air to heat up, expand, and rise through convection, creating a low-pressure zone [3]. As this air ascends to the top of the troposphere, it diverges and travels both Northwards and Southwards toward the poles [3]. This vertical movement of air (ascending currents) rather than horizontal movement is what results in the characteristic calm surface conditions of the Doldrums [4]. Thus, the thermal heating and subsequent air circulation patterns directly cause the low pressure and calm winds described.

Sources

[1] 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
[2] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 14: Climate > Pressure and Planetary Winds > p. 139
[5] INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate > Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) > p. 30
[3] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems > General circulation of the atmosphere > p. 80
[4] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems > Pressure and Wind > p. 79

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Statement I : The Doldrums is a low pressure area around the Equator where the prevailing winds are calm Statement I : Low pressure is caused by the heat at the Equator which makes the air rise and travel both Northwards and Southwards

Explanation

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

Consider the following statements : 1. The doldrums is a low pressure area around Equator where the prevailing winds are calm. 2. Chinook is a hot and dry wind that blows in winter and therefore raises the temperature in a short time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Statement I: Doldrums is a clam belt between 5° N and 5° S of the equator Statement I : The sun rays strike almost vertically over the equator throughout the year.

Statement I: During the day, winds blow from sea to land. Statement II : The land gets more heated than the surrounding sea, hence lower pressure develops over land as compared to sea.

Statement I : Pressure gradients determine the velocity of winds. Statement II : When isobars (lines of equal atmospheric pressure) are closely spaced, the wi nd velocity would be gentle.