Along which latitude the sub-tropical High-Pressure belts occur?

Key Points

• The Sub-Tropical High-Pressure Belts, also known as the Horse Latitudes, are located approximately at 30° North and South of the equator.
• These regions are characterized by descending air, creating high-pressure zones that result in dry and stable weather conditions.
• The descending air is part of the global circulation system known as the Hadley Cell, which originates from the equatorial region.
• These high-pressure belts are often associated with deserts, such as the Sahara Desert in Africa and the Great Australian Desert, due to their dry climate.

Additional Information

• Sub-Tropical High-Pressure Belts
  • These belts are regions of high atmospheric pressure situated at about 30° latitude in both hemispheres.
  • They are formed due to the sinking air from the upper atmosphere that originated from the equatorial region via the Hadley Cell.
  • The sinking air prevents cloud formation, leading to arid and desert-like conditions.
• Hadley Cell
  • The Hadley Cell is a large-scale atmospheric convection system in which warm air rises near the equator, moves towards the poles at high altitudes, and then descends at around 30° latitude.
  • This circulation is a key component of Earth's global climate system, driving weather patterns in tropical and sub-tropical regions.
• Horse Latitudes
  • The term "Horse Latitudes" is a nickname for the Sub-Tropical High-Pressure Belts, historically derived from the practice of throwing horses overboard during calm seas in these regions to save water.
  • These areas are known for their calm winds, making them challenging for sailing ships in earlier times.