Scribd
Upload
111 views3 pages

Cold Deserts

Uploaded by

lina.tan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
111 views3 pages

Cold Deserts

Uploaded by

lina.tan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Cold deserts

Cold deserts generally occur at specific latitudes and are influenced by geographical and climatic
factors that contribute to their harsh conditions. Here are examples of cold deserts at specific
latitudes and the reasons for their formation:

### Cold Deserts at Specific Latitudes:

1. **Gobi Desert**

- **Location:** Between approximately 40°N and 45°N latitude in Mongolia and northern China.

- **Characteristics:** The Gobi Desert experiences cold winters with temperatures dropping below
freezing and hot summers with temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) in some areas. It receives low
precipitation, primarily as snow in winter.

- **Causes:** Positioned in a rain shadow region east of the Altai and Tian Shan mountain ranges
and north of the Tibetan Plateau, which block moisture from the Indian Ocean and prevent it from
reaching the desert. This results in arid conditions and the formation of a cold desert landscape.

2. **Great Basin Desert**

- **Location:** Between approximately 35°N and 40°N latitude in the western United States,
covering parts of Nevada, Utah, California, Oregon, and Idaho.

- **Characteristics:** The Great Basin Desert experiences hot summers and cold winters. It
receives low precipitation, with most falling as winter snow and occasional summer thunderstorms.

- **Causes:** Situated in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges,
which block moist air from the Pacific Ocean. This prevents significant rainfall from reaching the
desert interior, contributing to its arid conditions.

3. **Patagonian Desert**

- **Location:** Between approximately 40°S and 55°S latitude in southern Argentina and Chile,
within the region of Patagonia.

- **Characteristics:** The Patagonian Desert has cool summers and cold winters, with strong winds
and low precipitation, mostly as snowfall.

- **Causes:** Positioned in the rain shadow of the Andes Mountains to the west, which block
moist air from the Pacific Ocean. This results in dry conditions and limited moisture reaching the
interior of Patagonia, leading to the formation of a cold desert environment.

### Reasons for Cold Desert Formation:


1. **Rain Shadow Effect:**

- Cold deserts often form on the leeward (downwind) side of mountain ranges, where moist air
from the ocean is forced to rise and cool, releasing precipitation on the windward side. The
descending dry air on the leeward side creates arid conditions conducive to desert formation.

2. **Distance from Moisture Sources:**

- Cold deserts located far from oceanic influences and moisture sources experience limited
precipitation due to their continental interior location. This lack of moisture contributes to the harsh
desert environment.

3. **High Latitude Conditions:**

- At higher latitudes, cold deserts experience colder temperatures, shorter growing seasons, and
lower evaporation rates. These factors combine to limit moisture availability and contribute to the
formation of cold desert ecosystems.

In summary, cold deserts are typically found at specific latitudes where geographical factors such as
mountain ranges and continental interiors create conditions of low precipitation and extreme
temperatures. Understanding these factors helps explain the distribution and characteristics of cold
deserts around the world.

Yes, it is generally accurate to say that tropical deserts are found mostly within the Hadley cells,
while cold deserts are typically located within the Ferrel cells. Here’s an explanation:

1. **Tropical Deserts and Hadley Cells:**

- **Location:** Hadley cells are atmospheric circulation patterns that occur between the equator
and approximately 30 degrees latitude north and south.

- **Characteristics:** In the subtropical regions within Hadley cells, air descends and warms as it
moves towards the Earth's surface. This descending air inhibits cloud formation and precipitation,
creating stable, dry conditions ideal for desert formation.

- **Examples:** Deserts like the Sahara Desert in Africa, the Arabian Desert in the Middle East, and
the Sonoran Desert in North America are located within Hadley cells.

2. **Cold Deserts and Ferrel Cells:**

- **Location:** Ferrel cells are atmospheric circulation patterns that occur between approximately
30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude north and south.

- **Characteristics:** Within Ferrel cells, air movement is characterized by mid-latitude westerly


winds and frontal systems. Cold deserts often form in rain shadow regions on the leeward side of
mountain ranges within these cells, where descending dry air contributes to arid conditions.
- **Examples:** Deserts like the Great Basin Desert in the United States, the Gobi Desert in
Mongolia and China, and the Patagonian Desert in Argentina are located within Ferrel cells.

### Key Points:

- **Hadley Cells and Tropical Deserts:** Hadley cells create stable, descending air patterns near the
equator and subtropics, leading to dry conditions and the formation of tropical deserts.

- **Ferrel Cells and Cold Deserts:** Ferrel cells, characterized by mid-latitude atmospheric
circulation, contribute to the formation of cold deserts through factors such as rain shadow effects
and continental interior location.

While this generalization holds true for many desert regions around the world, it's important to note
that local geography, ocean currents, and other atmospheric patterns can also influence the
distribution and characteristics of deserts in both tropical and mid-latitude regions.

You might also like