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Q88 (IAS/2011) Geography › World Physical Geography › Atmospheric pressure winds Answer Verified

Westerlies in southern hemisphere are stronger and persistent than in northern hemisphere. Why? 1. Southern hemisphere has less landmass as compared to northern hemisphere. 2. Coriolis force is higher in southern hemisphere as compared to northern hemisphere. Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: A
Explanation

The Westerlies in the Southern Hemisphere are significantly stronger and more persistent than those in the Northern Hemisphere primarily due to the vast expanse of open ocean and the relative lack of landmass [5]. In the Northern Hemisphere, large landmasses create friction and disrupt the flow of air, whereas the Southern Hemisphere's extensive water surfaces offer minimal resistance, allowing winds to reach high velocities, famously known as the 'Roaring Forties' [3]. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Coriolis force is a function of the Earth's rotation and latitude; it is not inherently stronger in one hemisphere than the other at the same latitude [4]. The Coriolis force is zero at the equator and reaches its maximum at the poles in both hemispheres [6]. Therefore, the difference in wind strength is attributed to land-sea distribution and temperature gradients rather than variations in the Coriolis force [3].

Sources

  1. [3] https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC%2000-6A%20Chap%204-6.pdf
  2. [5] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 14: Climate > Pressure and Planetary Winds > p. 140
  3. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 26: Tropical Cyclones > High Wind Shear In The Southern Hemisphere > p. 369
  4. [4] https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/coriolis-effect/
  5. [6] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 14: Climate > Pressure and Planetary Winds > p. 139
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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

NDA-I · 2018 · Q26 Relevance score: -0.31

Consider the following statements about Roaring Forties : 1. They are strong Westerly winds found in the oceans of Southern Hemisphere. 2. The strong east to west air cuirents are caused by the combination of air being displaced from the Equator towards the South Pole and the earth’s rotation and abundance of landmasses to serve as wind breaks. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

CAPF · 2014 · Q7 Relevance score: -0.42

Statement I : Roaring Forties are strong Westerly winds found in the Southern Hemisphere, generally between the latitudes of 40° and 50° Statement I : The strong East to West air currents are caused by the combination of air being displaced from the Equator towards the South Pole and the Earth’s rotation and there are few landmasses to serve as wind breaks

IAS · 2015 · Q66 Relevance score: -0.94

Consider the following statements : 1. The winds which blow between 30° N and 60° S latitudes throughout the year are known as westerlies. 2. The moist air masses that cause winter rains in North-Western region of India are part of westerlies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IAS · 2021 · Q88 Relevance score: -1.24

Consider the following statements: 1. In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade winds. 2. In the temperate zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IAS · 2025 · Q27 Relevance score: -1.30

Consider the following statements : Statement I : In January, in the Northern Hemisphere, the isotherms bend equatorward while crossing the landmasses, and poleward while crossing the oceans. Statement II : In January, the air over the oceans is warmer than that over the landmasses in the Northern Hemisphere. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?