Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Thickness of the troposphere at the equator is much greater as compared to poles. Statement-II: At the equator heat is transported to great heights by strong convection currents. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
- B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
- C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
- D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
▶ Answer & Explanation
Correct answer: A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
The troposphere, the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, is thicker at the equator and thinner at the poles. This is primarily due to intense solar heating at the equator which drives vigorous convection currents, pushing the atmospheric layers higher. These convection currents effectively transport heat and moisture to greater altitudes in the equatorial regions, resulting in a greater vertical extent of the troposphere compared to the polar regions where atmospheric circulation is less dynamic.
Source: UPSC gs1 2024