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Q27 (NDA-I/2018) Geography › World Physical Geography › Atmospheric pressure winds Answer Verified

Consider the following statements : 1. The doldrums is a low pressure area around Equator where the prevailing winds are calm. 2. Chinook is a hot and dry wind that blows in winter and therefore raises the temperature in a short time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: C
Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the doldrums, also known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), is a low-pressure belt located near the Equator [4]. It is characterized by intense solar heating, ascending air currents, and extremely calm or light prevailing winds, which historically becalmed sailing ships [4]. Statement 2 is also correct. The Chinook is a hot, dry, local katabatic wind that flows down the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains [5]. Known as the 'snow eater,' it can raise winter temperatures significantly—sometimes by 20°C within a very short period—due to adiabatic compressional heating as the air descends the leeward side of the mountains [6]. This rapid warming helps clear grasslands of snow, benefiting livestock and agriculture during the winter months [7].

Sources

  1. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 23: Pressure Systems and Wind System > Equatorial Low-Pressure Belt or 'Doldrums' > p. 311
  2. [4] https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/doldrums.html
  3. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 23: Pressure Systems and Wind System > Chinook (Snow Eaters) > p. 323
  4. [5] https://www.weather.gov/media/zhu/ZHU_Training_Page/winds/atmospheric_circulations/Atmospheric_Circulations.pdf
  5. [6] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/foehn
  6. [7] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 23: Pressure Systems and Wind System > Foehn or Fohn > p. 322
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