What could be the main reason/ reasons for the formation of African and Eurasian desert belt ? 1. It is located in the sub-tropical high pressure cells. 2. It is under the influence of warm ocean currents. Which of the statements given above is/ are correct in this context?

The African and Eurasian desert belt, including the Sahara and Arabian deserts, is primarily formed due to its location within the subtropical high-pressure cells [2]. These regions, situated between 15° and 30° latitude, are characterized by the descending branch of the Hadley Cell [1]. As air descends, it warms and compresses, which inhibits cloud formation and precipitation, leading to extreme aridity [2]. While cold ocean currents contribute to the aridity of coastal deserts like the Namib or Atacama by creating a desiccating effect [3], the statement regarding warm ocean currents is incorrect. Warm currents generally increase the moisture-bearing capacity of the air and promote rainfall, which is the opposite of desert-forming conditions [1]. Therefore, only the first statement regarding high-pressure cells is a valid reason for the formation of this desert belt.

Sources

1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 32: Ocean Movements Ocean Currents And Tides > Desert Formation > p. 496
2. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Hot Desert Climate (BWh: B – Dry, W – Desert, h – low latitude) > p. 441
3. [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > Hot Desert Biome > p. 15