2016 · Q40
Which one of the following is the reason due to which the wind in the southern hemisphere is deflected towards its left?
General KnowledgeGeography
- ADifference in the water masses of northern and southern hemisphere
- BTemperature and pressure variations
- CInclined axis of the Earth
- DRotation of the Earth
Explanation
The deflection of winds is caused by the Coriolis effect, which arises from the rotation of the Earth beneath the moving air. In the Southern Hemisphere this deflects moving air to its left (and to the right in the Northern Hemisphere). Differences in water masses, temperature-pressure variations and the axial tilt do not produce this systematic hemispheric deflection. The reason is therefore the rotation of the Earth, option (D).