Why are most deserts close to the equator?

Hot, moist air rises into the atmosphere near the Equator. As the air rises, it cools and drops its moisture as heavy tropical rains. The resulting cooler, drier air mass moves away from the Equator.

1. Are deserts only found near the equator?
2. Why are deserts found north and south of the equator?
3. Why are deserts located where they are in terms of latitude?
4. Why most of world's deserts are located in?
5. Why are deserts in the west?
6. Why do deserts occur?
7. Where are deserts located equator?
8. Why do deserts receive little rainfall?
9. Why does the Sahara desert get so cold at night?
10. Why are deserts not on the equator?
11. Why are there deserts around the tropics?
12. Where are deserts located and why?
13. Why are most deserts found on the western side of the continent?
14. Why are major deserts hot in the Northern Hemisphere?
15. Why do deserts form along 30 latitude?

Are deserts only found near the equator?

There are many deserts around the world. The equator is mainly over open water or rainforests. So no, deserts are not only found near the equator.

Why are deserts found north and south of the equator?

Most deserts are found along the 30 degree latitude line (north and south of the equator). This is due to the pattern of cold water currents, which force dry air over the land.

Why are deserts located where they are in terms of latitude?

Most of the world's deserts are located near 30 degrees north latitude and 30 degrees south latitude, where the heated equatorial air begins to descend. The descending air is dense and begins to warm again, evaporating large amounts of water from the land surface. The resulting climate is very dry.

Why most of world's deserts are located in?

Answer: Most of the worlds deserts are located in the western margins of continents in the subtropics because the prevailing winds in the tropics are tropical easterly winds. The tropical easterly winds become dry by the time they reach the western margins of the continents and so they bring no rainfall.

Why are deserts in the west?

These are the results of the prevailing easterly winds of the tropics, which are the trade winds. ... These winds become dry when they reach the western sides of the continents, and hence don't bring any rain with them. As these regions become devoid of moisture, deserts are formed.

Why do deserts occur?

Deserts are formed by weathering processes as large variations in temperature between day and night put strains on the rocks, which consequently break in pieces. ... Rocks are smoothed down, and the wind sorts sand into uniform deposits. The grains end up as level sheets of sand or are piled high in billowing sand dunes.

Where are deserts located equator?

Location of tropical rainforest climate

Most hot deserts are found near the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, between 15-30° north and south of the Equator. The largest hot desert is the Sahara in Africa which spans the whole width of the continent.

Why do deserts receive little rainfall?

Some deserts are near the equator where the air is very dry. Some deserts are in the middle of a continent. By the time the wind gets there, it has little moisture. ... If rain falls it stays dry in deserts because the sand absorbs the water.

Why does the Sahara desert get so cold at night?

During the day, sand's radiation of the sun's energy superheats the air and causes temperatures to soar. But, at night most of the heat in the sand quickly radiates into the air and there is no sunlight to reheat it, leaving the sand and its surroundings colder than before.

Why are deserts not on the equator?

Most deserts are away from the equator partially because the equator has a tropical climate and warmer climates are wetter and partially because deserts result from mountains that are mostly away from the equator. For one, the equator doesnt receive the highest amount of sunlight during the year.

Why are there deserts around the tropics?

Subtropical deserts are caused by the circulation patterns of air masses. ... Hot, moist air rises into the atmosphere near the Equator. As the air rises, it cools and drops its moisture as heavy tropical rains. The resulting cooler, drier air mass moves away from the Equator.

Where are deserts located and why?

Deserts are often found towards the west of continents. Some deserts are found on the western edges of continents. They are caused by cold ocean currents, which run along the coast. They cool the air and make it harder for the air to hold moisture.

Why are most deserts found on the western side of the continent?

Some deserts are found on the western edges of continents. They are caused by cold ocean currents, which run along the coast. They cool the air and make it harder for the air to hold moisture. ... Some deserts form in the rain shadow of mountains, eg the Atacama Desert is located in the rain shadow of the Andes.

Why are major deserts hot in the Northern Hemisphere?

Major hot deserts in northern hemisphere are located between 20-30 degree north and on the western side of the continents. Why? The hot deserts lie along the Horse Latitudes or the Sub-Tropical High Pressure Belts where the air is descending, a condition least favorable for precipitation of any kind to take place.

Why do deserts form along 30 latitude?

With warm air rising above the equator and the cooled air falling to the north and south, two circular patterns of air movement are created around the equator. ... At 30 to 50 degrees north and south of the equator, this falling air makes dry air drier. It also turns the land below it into a desert.