global high-pressure and low-pressure belts on the earth an dhow do hte high-pressure belts give rist to may of the world's largest deserts?
2007-12-01 01:50:28 · 2 answers · asked by T 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Low pressure is caused when air rises. Air rises at the equator because it is warmer. As this air spreads out and descends stably in the subtropical zones of the planet, the atmospheric pressure increases a lot, and this creates zones of clear skies, low rainfall, and high daytime temps.
The air at the polar regions is very cold, so it does not rise and this creates areas of very high pressure. This creates deserts as well, just deserts of ice though.
2007-12-01 02:30:12 · answer #1 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The atmospheric circulation consists of 3 cells in each hemisphere. The hadley cells, the ferrell cells and the polar cells. Where these cells meet, they form global pressure belts.
High pressure results in stable weather. This means light winds; little or no cloud cover; and no precipitation. The lack of precipitation results in deserts, both the tropical (e.g. Sahara) and the polar (e.g. Greenland).
2007-12-01 16:58:34 · answer #2 · answered by swktrabbit 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋