The four major, permanent pressure belts of the world are:
The equatorial low pressure belt or the ITCZ (0° to 5° N and 0° to 5°S):
1. This belt of low pressure extends from around 5° N to 5°S latitude. In the
equatorial region, the rays of Sun fall vertically on the Earth’s surface,
therefore the level of insolation is high.
2. The air gets heated and rises, leading to the creation of low pressure. This
zone is also known as the doldrums as little or no surface wind blows in this
region.
3. This low pressure zone is also referred to as the inter-tropical convergence
zone (ITCZ), as air converges here from surrounding areas, drawn by the low
pressure.
4. The air is then carried up by powerful convection currents that cause severe
thunderstorms in this region. Places in this zone receive precipitation over 200
days of the year.
The sub-tropical high pressure belt (30° N to 35° N and 30° S to 35° S):
1. This belts extend along the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, around 30° N
and S latitudes.
2. Air rises above the equator, and when it reaches the troposphere, it starts
flowing towards the poles.
3. This air starts converging (or coming together) between 25° and 35° N and S
latitudes. The air also loses heat through radiation.
4. Upper air convergence and cooling, together, causes the air to subside over
the sub-tropics. This descending air creates the sub-tropical high pressure
belts.
The sub-polar low pressure belt (60° N to 65° N and 60° S to 65° S):
1. The sub-polar low pressure belts occur around 60° N and S.
2. This is a zone where two wind systems converge-the Prevailing Westerlies
and the Polar Easterlies.
3. The Westerlies being warmer, is forced to rise over the cold polar air. This
rising air creates this area of low pressure. This is a zone of storms caused by
the powerful uplift of air.
The polar high pressure belt (85° N to 90° N and 85° S to 90° S):
1. The polar high pressure belts are found over the north and south poles.
2. In these regions the solar energy intercepted by the surface of the Earth is
very low, leading to low terrestrial radiation.
3. The air over the poles is therefore always cold, dense and heavy, thereby
creating belts of high pressure.
What are the horse
latitudes?
The horse latitudes are subtropical regions known for calm
winds and little precipitation.
The horse latitudes are regions located at about 30 degrees north and south of the
equator. These latitudes are characterized by calm winds and little precipitation.
According to legend, the term comes from ships sailing to the New World that would
often become stalled for days or even weeks when they encountered areas of high
pressure and calm winds. Many of these ships carried horses to the Americas as
part of their cargo. Unable to sail and resupply due to lack of wind, crews often ran
out of drinking water. To conserve scarce water, sailors on these ships would
sometimes throw the horses they were transporting overboard. Thus, the phrase
'horse latitudes' was born.
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DOLDRUM
Doldrums is defined as a gloomy feeling, low spirits or a time of inactivity.
Because the air circulates in an upward direction, there is often little surface wind in
the ITCZ. That is why sailors well know that the area can becalm sailing ships for
weeks. And that’s why they call it the doldrums.
WHAT IS ITCZ ?
The ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone) play important role in the
global circulation system and also known as the Equatorial Convergence
Zone or Intertropical Front. It is a basically low pressure belt encircling
Earth near the Equator. It is a zone of convergence where the trade winds
meet
For pressure belt
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for student C E
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Watch the above videos. we will also discuss in class about it.
