Q. Consider the following statements:
1.In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade winds.
2.In the temperate zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: c) Both 1 and 2
Question from UPSC Prelims 2021 GS Paper
Explanation :
Both statements regarding the influence of prevailing winds on ocean temperatures are correct, and here’s the explanation for each:
Tropical Zone: Influence of Trade Winds
In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections due to the influence of trade winds. These easterly winds, blowing from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere, push surface water westward. This results in the accumulation of warm surface water in the western parts of the tropical oceans, such as the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. These conditions foster warm western boundary currents like the Gulf Stream and the Kuroshio. Conversely, cooler water upwells on the eastern sides, leading to cooler ocean temperatures there.
Temperate Zone: Influence of Westerlies
In the temperate zone, the westerlies contribute to making the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections. These winds, blowing from the southwest in the Northern Hemisphere and from the northwest in the Southern Hemisphere, influence ocean surface currents and lead to the formation of warm eastern boundary currents. Examples include the North Atlantic Drift and the North Pacific Drift, which warm the eastern shores of North America and Asia. In contrast, the western sections are cooled by currents such as the California Current and the Labrador Current.
