Oceanography
Unit 3
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION AND SURFACE OCEAN CURRENTS
Worksheet
Name
Period
If the earth did not rotate about its axis,
the atmosphere might circulate as shown.
Simplified sketch of the large scale
features of the earth’s atmospheric
circulation.
Remembering that warm air can contain more water vapor than cold air, use the above
figures to explain why satellite photographs of the earth often show the equatorial region
to be cloudy.
Again using the above figures, explain why many of the great deserts of the world are at
(approximately) 30 degrees north or south of the equator.
Unit 3 – Waves and Currents
1