Consider the following statements:

In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade

In the temperate zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Question

Consider the following statements:

In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade
In the temperate zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Both 1 and 2 Quick Verdict: Both statements are correct. The horizontal distribution of ocean surface temperature is heavily influenced by planetary wind systems, specifically whether the winds are blowing onshore (bringing warm water) or offshore (causing cold upwelling). Thematic Discussion: Wind Systems and Ocean Temperatures The fundamental rule of wind-driven ocean temperatures is based on water displacement: Offshore Winds (Land to Ocean): These winds drive warm surface water away from the coast. To replace this displaced water, cold water from the deep ocean rises to the surface (a process called upwelling), resulting in lower surface temperatures. Onshore Winds (Ocean to Land): These winds push and pile up warm surface water against the coast, resulting in higher surface water temperatures in those sections. Applying this to the Global Wind Belts: The Tropical Zone (Statement 1 - Correct): In the tropics, the Trade Winds blow from East to West (Easterlies). On the eastern sections of tropical oceans (e.g., the coast of Peru or West Africa), the winds are offshore, blowing water away and causing cold upwelling. On the western sections of tropical oceans (e.g., the coasts of Indonesia or eastern Australia), the winds are onshore, piling up warm water. Therefore, western sections are warmer. The Temperate Zone (Statement 2 - Correct): In the mid-latitudes, the Westerlies blow from West to East. On the western sections of temperate oceans (e.g., the eastern coast of Canada/USA), the winds are offshore, pushing water away and allowing cold currents to dominate. On the eastern sections of temperate oceans (e.g., the western coast of Europe), the westerlies are onshore, pushing vast amounts of warm surface water (like the North Atlantic Drift) against the coast. Therefore, eastern sections are warmer here.