The annual range of surface temperature is much greater in the North ...
- The annual variation of surface temperature in any ocean depends upon several factors, the most important among which are the annual variations of radiation income and the prevailing winds.
- The annual range over most of the oceans of the world is less than 5-degree celsius. Maximum annual variations in the sea surface temperature occur generally in mid-latitude regions of the oceans.
- The ranges are generally greater close to the land, due to the land effect and are greater in the northern hemispheric oceans. The annual range of surface temperature is much greater in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans than in the southern oceans.
The annual range of surface temperature is much greater in the North ...
Explanation:
The annual range of surface temperature is much greater in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans than in the southern oceans because of the following reasons:
1. Cold winds blow from the continents towards the oceans and greatly reduce the winter temperatures:
The North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans are located in the northern hemisphere and are surrounded by the continents. During the winter season, cold winds blow from the continents towards these oceans. These winds reduce the winter temperatures of the oceans significantly. As a result, the annual range of surface temperature in these oceans is much greater than that in the southern oceans.
2. Westerlies from mid-latitude regions increase the maximum annual variations in the sea surface temperature:
The mid-latitude regions in the northern hemisphere are dominated by westerly winds. These winds blow from west to east and are responsible for the maximum annual variations in the sea surface temperature. In the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans, these westerlies increase the maximum annual variations in the sea surface temperature. As a result, the annual range of surface temperature in these oceans is much greater than that in the southern oceans.
Thus, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A' - 1 only.