Which mechanism explains why major global deserts often appear ~30° latitude from the equator?

A)Ekman transport induces coastal upwelling

B)Hadley cell subsidence causes adiabatic heating✓

C)Rossby wave propagation steers cyclones

D)Geostrophic balance maintains current flow

💡 Explanation

When air rises near the equator, Hadley cell circulation descends around 30° latitude, adiabatic heating occurs due to compression, which reduces relative humidity, leading to desert formation. Therefore, Hadley cell subsidence leads to dry conditions, rather than upwelling, wave propagation, or geostrophic balance, which involve ocean processes and atmospheric patterns.

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Which mechanism explains why major global deserts often appear ~30° latitude from the equator?

💡 Explanation

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