Which one of the following factors are responsible for the change in the regular direction of the ocean currents in the Indian Ocean?
Which one of the following factors are responsible for the change in the regular direction of the ocean currents in the Indian Ocean?
The correct option is B Indian ocean has monsoon drift
Due to the monsoon drift of Indian Ocean, its regular direction of the ocean currents changes twice a year.
The following factors are responsible for the change in the regular direction of the ocean currents in the Indian Ocean
India is flanked by the Indian Ocean on three sides in the south and girdled by a high and continuous mountain-wall in the north. As compared to the landmass, water heats up or cools down slowly. This differential heating of land and sea creates different air pressure zones in different seasons in and around the Indian subcontinent. Difference in air pressure causes reversal in the direction of monsoon winds.
The physiographic or relief of India also affects the temperature, air pressure, direction and speed of wind and the amount and distribution of rainfall.
As the summer sets in and the sun shifts northwards, the wind circulation over the subcontinent undergoes a complete reversal at both, the lower as well as the upper levels. By the middle of July, the low pressure belt nearer the surface [termed as Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)] shifts northwards, roughly parallel to the Himalayas between 20° N and 25° N. By this time, the westerly jet stream withdraws from the Indian region. It is generally believed that there is a cause and effect relationship between the two. The ITCZ being a zone of low pressure, attracts inflow of winds from different directions. The maritime tropical airmass (mT) from the southern hemisphere, after crossing the equator, rushes to the low pressure area in the general southwesterly direction. It is this moist air current which is popularly known as the southwest monsoon. Monsoon connotes the climate associated with seasonal reversal in the direction of winds.
Indian ocean has monsoon drift
Due to the monsoon drift of Indian Ocean, its regular direction of the ocean currents changes twice a year.
The following factors are responsible for the change in the regular direction of the ocean currents in the Indian Ocean
India is flanked by the Indian Ocean on three sides in the south and girdled by a high and continuous mountain-wall in the north. As compared to the landmass, water heats up or cools down slowly. This differential heating of land and sea creates different air pressure zones in different seasons in and around the Indian subcontinent. Difference in air pressure causes reversal in the direction of monsoon winds.
The physiographic or relief of India also affects the temperature, air pressure, direction and speed of wind and the amount and distribution of rainfall.
As the summer sets in and the sun shifts northwards, the wind circulation over the subcontinent undergoes a complete reversal at both, the lower as well as the upper levels. By the middle of July, the low pressure belt nearer the surface [termed as Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)] shifts northwards, roughly parallel to the Himalayas between 20° N and 25° N. By this time, the westerly jet stream withdraws from the Indian region. It is generally believed that there is a cause and effect relationship between the two. The ITCZ being a zone of low pressure, attracts inflow of winds from different directions. The maritime tropical airmass (mT) from the southern hemisphere, after crossing the equator, rushes to the low pressure area in the general southwesterly direction. It is this moist air current which is popularly known as the southwest monsoon. Monsoon connotes the climate associated with seasonal reversal in the direction of winds.
