What type of winds occur between 23.5 degrees S latitude and 23.5 degrees N latitude?
The type of winds that occur between 23.5 degrees S latitude and 23.5 degrees N latitude are called trade winds. Trade winds blow consistently from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere. They are characterized by their steady and reliable nature, making them historically important for sailing routes and trade.
What is the role of the Coriolis Effect on creating ocean currents?
The Coriolis Effect plays a significant role in determining the direction and formation of ocean currents. The Coriolis Effect is an apparent deflection caused by the rotation of the Earth. It causes moving air or water to curve to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
In the context of ocean currents, the Coriolis Effect deflects surface currents as they move across the ocean. Specifically, it causes the currents to veer to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This deflection is due to the difference in velocity between different latitudes.
The combination of the trade winds, caused by the pressure differences between the equator and the poles, and the Coriolis Effect results in the formation of major ocean currents such as the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean and the West Wind Drift in the Southern Ocean. These currents circulate in large gyres and influence global climate patterns and the distribution of heat around the planet.
Overall, the Coriolis Effect is crucial in shaping and maintaining the circulation patterns of ocean currents across the Earth's oceans.