Question

Monsoon is caused by

• A. Movements of cloud
• B. Impact of Summer temperature on the sea
• C. Rise in temperature
• D. Seasonal reversal of winds

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The primary cause of monsoon is the seasonal reversal of winds. Understanding the mechanism can be broken down into a few key concepts:

• Monsoon winds are a result of the larger scale wind patterns that reverse direction with the changes in seasons. This primarily occurs due to differential heating.
• During the summer, the land heats up more quickly than the ocean, creating a low-pressure zone over the land. In contrast, a high-pressure zone forms over the cooler ocean.
• This pressure difference causes wind to flow from the high-pressure area (ocean) towards the low-pressure area (land), bringing with it moist air which results in precipitation.
• During the winter, the situation reverses with the ocean maintaining a higher temperature than the land, changing the direction of winds. Therefore, in places like South Asia, the monsoon is characterized by the inflow of moisture-laden winds in the summer and dry winds in the winter.