Investigate each statement and select the one that best describes why southwest South America has a dry climate.(1 point)
Responses
The Gulf Stream produces a dry climate in southwest South America.
The Gulf Stream produces a dry climate in southwest South America.
Southwest South America is in the intertropical convergence zone.
Southwest South America is in the intertropical convergence zone.
The northeast trade winds blow onto the west coast of South America.
The northeast trade winds blow onto the west coast of South America.
There is a cold ocean current on the west coast of South America.
There is a cold ocean current on the west coast of South America.
How does latitude help you investigate where the coldest climates on Earth might be during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice?(1 point)
Responses
The tropical zone latitudes would have the coldest climates on Earth during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice because the angle of incidence at the equator is no longer 90°.
The tropical zone latitudes would have the coldest climates on Earth during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice because the angle of incidence at the equator is no longer 90°.
Latitudes closest to Greenwich, England, would experience less-intense solar radiation, or none at all, during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice, likely leading to the coldest climates on Earth during that time.
Latitudes closest to Greenwich, England, would experience less-intense solar radiation, or none at all, during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice, likely leading to the coldest climates on Earth during that time.
Latitudes 0°–20°S would not receive any energy from the sun during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice, likely leading to the coldest climates on Earth during that time.
Latitudes 0°–20°S would not receive any energy from the sun during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice, likely leading to the coldest climates on Earth during that time.
Latitudes farthest away from the equator in the Southern Hemisphere would experience less-intense solar radiation, or none at all, during the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice, likely leading to the coldest climates on Earth during that time.
Which location experiences 24 hours of darkness for many weeks during the Southern Hemisphere summer?(1 point)
Responses
the South Pole
the South Pole
the Tropic of Cancer
the Tropic of Cancer
the North Pole
the North Pole
Greenwich, England
How does a mountain range help you investigate why there’s a dry climate on the leeward side of it?(1 point)
Responses
Mountain ranges can create rainshadow deserts.
Mountain ranges can create rainshadow deserts.
A mountain range could host an alpine tundra ecosystem, creating a dry climate on the leeward side of the range.
A mountain range could host an alpine tundra ecosystem, creating a dry climate on the leeward side of the range.
Mountain ranges create windward deserts.
Mountain ranges create windward deserts.
Mountain ranges create plateaus.
Mountain ranges can create rainshadow deserts.
Which statement offers the best analysis of how climate impacts the distribution of the world’s tropical rain forests?(1 point)
Responses
Climates that have relatively warm temperatures year-round and high precipitation year-round are associated with the location of the world’s tropical rain forests.
Climates that have relatively warm temperatures year-round and high precipitation year-round are associated with the location of the world’s tropical rain forests.
Climates with mountainous regions where biome-related changes happen quickly as elevation increases are associated with tropical rain forests.
Climates with mountainous regions where biome-related changes happen quickly as elevation increases are associated with tropical rain forests.
Tropical rain forest distribution is most associated with regions where the average temperature of the coldest month is below 26.6°F.
Tropical rain forest distribution is most associated with regions where the average temperature of the coldest month is below 26.6°F.
Climates that have relatively low temperatures year-round and low precipitation year-round are associated with the location of the world’s tropical rain forests.
Climates that have relatively warm temperatures year-round and high precipitation year-round are associated with the location of the world’s tropical rain forests.
To investigate each statement and determine the best description of why southwest South America has a dry climate, we need to analyze each statement individually.
Statement 1: "The Gulf Stream produces a dry climate in southwest South America."
The Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current that flows along the eastern coast of North America. However, it does not directly impact the climate of southwest South America. Therefore, we can conclude that this statement is not accurate.
Statement 2: "Southwest South America is in the intertropical convergence zone."
The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is a region near the equator where trade winds from both hemispheres meet, resulting in frequent rainfall. If southwest South America is located in the ITCZ, it would not have a dry climate. Therefore, we can conclude that this statement is not accurate.
Statement 3: "The northeast trade winds blow onto the west coast of South America."
The trade winds are global wind patterns that blow consistently in certain directions. In this case, the northeast trade winds blow from east to west. If these winds reach the west coast of South America, they can bring moist air from the ocean and cause rainfall. Therefore, we can conclude that this statement is not accurate.
Statement 4: "There is a cold ocean current on the west coast of South America."
This statement correctly describes the presence of a cold ocean current along the west coast of South America. This ocean current is known as the Humboldt Current, and it originates from cold waters near Antarctica. The Humboldt Current cools the air above it, limiting evaporation and reducing the amount of moisture in the atmosphere. As a result, the west coast of South America, including southwest South America, experiences a dry climate due to the influence of this cold ocean current. Therefore, we can conclude that this is the best description of why southwest South America has a dry climate.
Based on the investigation, the statement that best describes why southwest South America has a dry climate is: "There is a cold ocean current on the west coast of South America."