PPT: Introduction to Modern India - II | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Deserts: Indian Geography
Page 2


Deserts: Indian Geography
Introduction to Desert Regions
Arid Environments
Deserts are defined by minimal 
rainfall and sparse vegetation. 
Extreme weather conditions are 
typical.
Hot and Cold Deserts
Deserts are classified as either hot 
or cold. The Thar is an example of 
a hot desert.
Trade Wind Influence
Hot deserts often experience 
aridity due to offshore trade 
winds. They are also called trade 
wind deserts.
Page 3


Deserts: Indian Geography
Introduction to Desert Regions
Arid Environments
Deserts are defined by minimal 
rainfall and sparse vegetation. 
Extreme weather conditions are 
typical.
Hot and Cold Deserts
Deserts are classified as either hot 
or cold. The Thar is an example of 
a hot desert.
Trade Wind Influence
Hot deserts often experience 
aridity due to offshore trade 
winds. They are also called trade 
wind deserts.
Global Hot Desert 
Locations
Western Coasts
Hot deserts form on 
western coasts between 
15°-30° latitude in both 
hemispheres.
Dry Trade Winds
Trade winds reach 
western margins dry after 
losing moisture over 
eastern regions.
Descending Air
Air compression and warming reduces moisture-holding 
capacity.
Page 4


Deserts: Indian Geography
Introduction to Desert Regions
Arid Environments
Deserts are defined by minimal 
rainfall and sparse vegetation. 
Extreme weather conditions are 
typical.
Hot and Cold Deserts
Deserts are classified as either hot 
or cold. The Thar is an example of 
a hot desert.
Trade Wind Influence
Hot deserts often experience 
aridity due to offshore trade 
winds. They are also called trade 
wind deserts.
Global Hot Desert 
Locations
Western Coasts
Hot deserts form on 
western coasts between 
15°-30° latitude in both 
hemispheres.
Dry Trade Winds
Trade winds reach 
western margins dry after 
losing moisture over 
eastern regions.
Descending Air
Air compression and warming reduces moisture-holding 
capacity.
Additional Desert 
Formation Factors
Leeward 
Mountain Sides
Mountains create rain 
shadows, as seen 
near the Rockies.
Cold Ocean 
Currents
Cold currents 
stabilize air, 
preventing coastal 
cloud formation.
Parallel 
Mountains
Parallel ranges block 
moisture-laden winds 
inland, like the 
Aravallis.
Page 5


Deserts: Indian Geography
Introduction to Desert Regions
Arid Environments
Deserts are defined by minimal 
rainfall and sparse vegetation. 
Extreme weather conditions are 
typical.
Hot and Cold Deserts
Deserts are classified as either hot 
or cold. The Thar is an example of 
a hot desert.
Trade Wind Influence
Hot deserts often experience 
aridity due to offshore trade 
winds. They are also called trade 
wind deserts.
Global Hot Desert 
Locations
Western Coasts
Hot deserts form on 
western coasts between 
15°-30° latitude in both 
hemispheres.
Dry Trade Winds
Trade winds reach 
western margins dry after 
losing moisture over 
eastern regions.
Descending Air
Air compression and warming reduces moisture-holding 
capacity.
Additional Desert 
Formation Factors
Leeward 
Mountain Sides
Mountains create rain 
shadows, as seen 
near the Rockies.
Cold Ocean 
Currents
Cold currents 
stabilize air, 
preventing coastal 
cloud formation.
Parallel 
Mountains
Parallel ranges block 
moisture-laden winds 
inland, like the 
Aravallis.
Climatic Conditions: 
Rainfall
Convectional Rainfall
Precipitation primarily from 
convectional storms.
Aridity
Extreme dryness with some 
areas receiving under 0.02 
inches yearly.
Hadley Cell Impact
Desert locations determined 
by Hadley Cell and ITCZ 
position.
Offshore Winds
Trade winds blow away from 
land while westerlies remain 
beyond desert limits.