Tropical Climates
Tropical Climates
Tropical Climates
Unlike other tropical climates, humid tropical areas do not have a distinct dry
season. While some regions may experience slightly varying rainfall, the
climate generally remains wet throughout the year, with afternoon
thunderstorms common. The high warmth and moisture support lush
vegetation, including tropical rainforests, which thrive due to the stable
climate. Despite this, soils are often nutrient-poor because nutrients are
rapidly absorbed by plants or washed away by rain.
The ITCZ's position controls rainfall: when it’s overhead, the region receives
rain, but as it moves away during the dry season, humidity and rainfall drop
significantly. This causes a dramatic shift in weather, with the wet season
providing relief after drought-like conditions.
During the dry season, vegetation shrinks, and the landscape changes from
lush grasslands to sparser vegetation. Soils in seasonally tropical climates
are less fertile than in humid tropics due to limited rainfall, inhibiting nutrient
cycling. These areas support grasslands, savannas, and scattered trees
adapted to seasonal water stress.
Temperatures are consistent, but greater variation occurs between day and
night during the dry season. The combination of seasonal rainfall and
temperature variation creates ecosystems suited to grasslands and scrub
vegetation, with plant desiccation during the dry season.
Role of ITCZ
The ITCZ does not remain stationary; it shifts seasonally in response to the
Earth’s tilt and the movement of the sun. During the Northern Hemisphere’s
summer, the ITCZ moves northward, bringing more rainfall to the northern
tropics. In contrast, during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, the ITCZ
shifts southward, leading to increased rainfall in the southern tropics. This
seasonal movement is a significant factor in the variation of rainfall patterns
in different tropical regions. The shift of the ITCZ also causes a marked
contrast between wet and dry seasons in areas on the margins of the
equatorial zone. While some tropical regions receive consistent rainfall
throughout the year, others experience a more seasonal distribution of
rainfall, with drier periods occurring when the ITCZ moves away from the
region.
In sum, the ITCZ plays a pivotal role in the weather and climate of tropical
regions, contributing to the constant warmth, high humidity, and abundant
rainfall typical of equatorial climates. Its seasonal movement influences not
only the intensity of rainfall but also the timing of wet and dry seasons in
many tropical and subtropical areas. The ITCZ is thus central to the formation
of tropical ecosystems, including rainforests, and has a profound impact on
the biodiversity and agriculture in the regions it affects.
Because the subtropical anticyclones are associated with descending, dry air,
they contribute significantly to the arid and semi-arid climates found in
regions under their influence. These areas typically experience hot summers,
with temperatures regularly exceeding 30°C, and mild winters. The lack of
rainfall is another key feature, as the descending air inhibits cloud formation
and precipitation. In addition to deserts, the subtropical high-pressure belts
are responsible for dry seasons in many other regions, where rainfall is highly
seasonal or nearly absent.
The position and strength of subtropical anticyclones can also influence
monsoon systems. For example, the weakening or shifting of subtropical
high-pressure systems can influence the onset of the monsoon rains in
regions such as South Asia. The subtropical high-pressure zones are
dynamic, often shifting slightly in response to seasonal changes or
temperature variations between the land and oceans, contributing to
seasonal climate shifts.
Role of monsoons:
During the summer monsoon, the land heats up rapidly, creating a low-
pressure area over the continent. This low pressure draws in moist air from
the ocean, causing heavy rainfall as the moisture-laden winds rise and cool,
leading to convectional rainfall. The summer monsoon can bring months of
heavy rains, which are crucial for agriculture, especially in regions that rely
on seasonal rainfall for crop growth. However, the intensity and timing of the
monsoon rains can vary, sometimes leading to flooding or droughts
depending on their strength and duration.
In contrast, the winter monsoon occurs when the land cools down, creating a
high-pressure area over the continent, while the ocean remains warmer. This
reversal of pressure causes dry, cool air to blow from the land to the sea,
resulting in dry conditions and little to no rainfall in the affected areas. The
winter monsoon is often associated with cooler temperatures and dry
seasons in regions that experience a summer monsoon.
Monsoons are critical for the water supply and agriculture of many countries,
particularly in Asia and parts of Africa. They provide the necessary rainfall to
sustain crops, but their variability can also pose significant challenges, with
too much rainfall causing floods and too little leading to droughts. Thus, the
timing, strength, and duration of the monsoon are key to the livelihoods and
economic stability of millions of people in monsoon-affected regions.
3 different types of climates:
In contrast, the seasonally humid (savanna) climate occurs just outside the
equatorial zone, typically between 5° and 20° latitude, in regions such as
sub-Saharan Africa, parts of India, and northern Australia. This climate is
characterized by a distinct seasonal pattern of rainfall, with a pronounced
wet season and a dry season. During the wet season, which typically aligns
with the summer months, the region receives between 500 mm to 1500 mm
of rainfall. This is when the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a band of
low pressure that moves north and south of the equator, brings moisture-
laden winds. The dry season follows when the ITCZ moves away and the area
comes under the influence of high-pressure systems, leading to little or no
rainfall. Temperatures in savanna regions are high throughout the year,
generally ranging from 20°C to 30°C, but there is a greater variation
compared to equatorial regions, particularly between the wet and dry
seasons. The daily temperature range can also be more pronounced,
especially in areas with less cloud cover and vegetation.
The monsoon climate, found in regions such as South and Southeast Asia,
parts of West Africa, and northern Australia, is characterized by highly
seasonal rainfall that is both intense and concentrated. The defining feature
of this climate is the monsoon—seasonal winds that reverse direction based
on temperature differences between land and sea. In the wet season, which
usually spans from June to September, moist air is drawn from the oceans
over the land, bringing heavy rainfall that can range from 1500 mm to over
4000 mm annually. The wet season is often associated with strong storms
and prolonged periods of rain. The dry season, occurring from October to
May, is marked by cool, dry winds from the land. These winds reduce
humidity and suppress rainfall. The temperature in monsoon regions remains
high, usually between 25°C and 30°C, with moderate variation due to the
cooling effects of rainfall during the wet season. However, during the dry
season, temperatures can rise sharply due to reduced cloud cover and
rainfall.
Types of Weathering:
Physical Weathering:
Chemical Weathering:
1. Tors
2. Inselbergs
Inselbergs are isolated hills or mountains of resistant rock that rise abruptly
from the surrounding lowland. Granite forms inselbergs through long-term
erosion of surrounding rocks and weathering of the granite itself. Initially,
granite is buried beneath layers of softer rock. Over time, weathering and
erosion remove the overlying softer rocks, exposing the harder granite
beneath. As the granite weathers, it can break down into smaller pieces, but
the core remains more resistant to erosion. The process continues, with the
surrounding softer material being eroded away, and eventually, the granite
forms an isolated hill or mountain, known as an inselberg. This takes
millions of years, as both the granite and the surrounding landscape are
slowly worn down.
3. Bornhardts
4. Etchplains
Etchplains are vast, gently sloping areas of granite that have been eroded
to create a surface of pockmarks, shallow depressions, or grooves. Granite
forms etchplains through the process of chemical weathering. Over time,
water, acids, and other natural elements break down the surface of the
granite, especially along fractures and joints. This chemical weathering
weakens the granite, causing small depressions or grooves to form on the
rock's surface. These pitted or etched patterns develop as the minerals in the
granite, like feldspar, are slowly broken down into clay. The surface of the
granite becomes uneven and textured, creating the etchplain. This process
takes millions of years, as the weathering and erosion gradually shape the
granite into a smooth yet irregular landscape. Hydrolysis (reaction with
water) and oxidation (reaction with oxygen) cause the minerals to break
down, leaving behind a weakened surface. This can result in the formation of
small depressions or grooves on the granite surface.
5. Pediplains
Erosion Processes: