FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev.

0 10-July-2020

STUDY
Study Guide in SSE 102 Physical Geography GUIDE FOR MODULE NO. 6 Module No. 6

ATMOSPHERE
MODULE OVERVIEW

This module presents the Earth’s atmosphere, structure, layers and importance. In addition, topics on
weather, climate, temperature, air pressure, pressure belts, humidity, precipitation, and monsoon are also
discussed.

MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, you should be able to

1. describe the structure and layers of atmosphere;

2. differentiate weather from climate;
3. discuss air pressure and pressure belts;
4. explain atmospheric humidity and precipitation; and
5. discuss the importance of monsoon.

LEARNING CONTENTS (title of the subsection)

Atmosphere of the Earth

The deep blanket of gas surrounding the earth is known as atmosphere. The scientists opine that
the atmosphere is about 35 years old. Its thickness is about 10,000 kilometres. However, about 97 per cent
of the total atmosphere remains confined within 30 kilometres upward from the earth’s crust. The
atmosphere remains in contact with the earth’s crust due to the gravitational attraction. Again due to the
pressure of the layers of the atmosphere, density of air is highest at the sea level and decreases with
height.

The atmosphere is of immense importance for the existence of the living organisms of the earth.
The atmosphere safeguards the lives of living beings against the effect of harmful rays of the sun. Its
gaseous elements like carbon dioxide rear the vegetation and oxygen safeguards the living creatures. The
human activities on the surface of the earth helps to bring changes in the structure of the atmosphere,
particularly large scale deforestation, industrial smoke, and burning of coal, mineral oil and the natural gas
polluting the atmosphere. For the interest of the living beings of the earth, we should refrain ourselves
from contaminating the atmosphere. So, we should have an idea about the structure of the atmosphere
and how it works.

Structure of the Atmosphere

Atmosphere is constituted by the mixture of several gases. The composition of the atmosphere
remains fairly constant roughly up to an altitude of 80 kilometres. Nitrogen and oxygen are the two
important constituents of pure dry air. So far the volume is concerned; these two gases jointly constitute
98.73 per cent and the rest of 1.27 per cent being occupied by other gases. A list of different constituent
elements is presented below:

Nitrogen (N2) 78.02 %

Oxygen (O2) 20.71 %
Argon (Ar) 0.80 %
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 0.03 %

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 1

 FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev. 0 10-July-2020
Ozone (O3) 0.0001 %
Study GuideOther
in SSE 102 Physical Geography 0.4399 % Module No. 6

Total 100.00%

Other gases include helium, krypton, xenon, hydrogen, methane, and nitrous oxide. But the water
vapor and dust particles are also found in different scale in the atmosphere. The amount of carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere is only 0.03 per cent. This meagre amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is much
important for the atmospheric processes. Because this gas helps the short waves of the sun’s rays to reach
the earth. The short waves rays after coming in contact with the earth’s surface transform themselves to
long waves. Carbon dioxide absorbs these long waves in the lower atmosphere. As a result, the
atmosphere becomes hot.

Atmospheric Layers

The atmosphere can be divided vertically into four divisions according to the characteristics
(temperature, pressure, density) of its different elements. These are troposphere, stratosphere,
mesosphere, and thermosphere.

Troposphere. This is the lowest layer of the atmosphere and it remains in contact with the earth’s
crust. This layer is very much important for weather and climate. The upper limit of the troposphere
instead of terminating suddenly, its characteristics gradually fade away and mix up with the next
stratosphere layer. The last part of the atmosphere is known as tropopause. The thickness of the
troposphere is 8 kilometres in the polar region and 16 to 19 kilometres in the equatorial region.

The characteristics of the troposphere are the following:

(a) the density and the temperature decrease with the increase of altitude. The decrease of
temperature with increase of altitude is known as the normal lapse rate;
(b) the velocity of the wind increases with the increases of altitude;
(c) the lower atmosphere contains water vapour;
(d) the wind moves upward and downward; and
(e) all sorts of weather and climatic processes are accomplished in this layer.

Stratosphere. The next layer of the atmosphere is stratosphere which extends up to 50 kilometres.
Maximum amount of ozone gas is available in this layer. This ozone layer absorbs maximum ultra violet
rays of the sun. So, this earth has become suitable abode of the living creatures. Both density and pressure
are comparatively less in this layer and the temperature also does not show a change in the lower
atmosphere. However, from the 20th kilometre upwards, the

temperature records a gradual rise and continues up to 50 kilometres in the high stratosphere. There is no
water vapour in stratosphere. stratopause exists above this layer.

Mesosphere. The temperature decreases rapidly from the stratosphere upwards up to 80

kilometres. This vast area is known as mesosphere. But the temperature again increases after the 80th
kilometre. This layer is known as mesopause. Air pressure is very feeble in mesosphere.

Thermosphere. Thermosphere extends upward from the mesopause. The lower part of the
thermosphere is known as ionosphere. Above the ionosphere, there are other two layers such as
exosphere and magnetosphere.

Weather and Climate

The daily average condition of temperature, pressure, wind, humidity and precipitation for any
place is the weather. Generally, climate is the average condition of the weather for 30 to 40 years.

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 2

 FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev. 0 10-July-2020
Elements of Weather and Climate
Study Guide in SSE 102 Physical Geography Module No. 6

The elements of weather and climate are: (1) wind temperature, (2) wind pressure, (3) wind
movement, (4) humidity, and (5) precipitation.

Controls of Weather and Climate

The elements of weather and climate are controlled by the following factors. These are latitude,
altitude, distance from the sea, location of the mountains, relief of the land, wind movement, ocean
currents, slope of the land, soil and the forests.

1. Latitude. This is one of the most important controls of climate as the incidence of sun’s rays
varies with the latitude. The sun gives its rays vertically over the equator and as a result, the temperature is
high in this region. On the other hand, the higher latitudes receive inclined or slanting rays and hence the
temperature is low. Generally, the atmospheric temperature decreases from the equator towards the
poles.

2. Altitude. The atmospheric temperature decreases with the increases of altitude. There is a
decrease of temperature of 6° Celsius for every 1000 metres of increase of altitude. Though two places
being situated on the same latitude, but their climate will differ due to the difference in altitude. As for
example, Dinajpur and Shillong though located on the same latitude but the climate differs due to the
variation in altitude. The temperature in Shillong is much lesser than that of Dinajpur.

3. Distance from the Ocean. The climate of a place becomes mild if it is located nearer to the sea or
ocean. As the climate of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong and Patuakhali is milder than that of Bogra being situated
nearer to the sea. No remarkable variation of temperature between winter and summer and between days
and nights is found in the coastal regions. This type of climate is known as equable climate. But the regions
away from the coastal area experiences extreme climate during winter and summer, because the landmass
gets warmer as well as colder more quickly than that of the water bodies. For this reason, the interior parts
of the continent during summer become very hot and equally these become very cold during winter. This
type of climate is known as the continental climate or extreme climate.

4. Wind Movement. The wind movement plays an important role on the climate of a place. If any
wind blows saturated with water vapour, then this may cause abundant rainfall there. During the rainy
season, the monsoon full of water vapour brings heavy shower in Bangladesh. Again during the winter
season, the continental air brings no rainfall in Bangladesh and the temperature decreases.

5. Ocean Currents. The air of the coastal area becomes either cold or warm due to the influence of
cold or warm ocean currents. As for example, it can be mentioned that the eastern coast of the United
States of America records an increase of temperature due to the influence of the Warm Gulf Stream.
Again, the cold Labrador Current keeps the eastern coast of North America cold.

6. Location of the Mountains. Wind movement, when obstructed by the high mountains, can
create influence on the climate. The monsoon air being obstructed by athwart situation of the Himalayan
Mountain in the north brings heavy shower in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. On the other hand, during
winter the cold air mass of Central Asia cannot cross the Himalayas and so the climate of the sub-continent
never gets cold like Europe.

7. Slope of the land. The air and the land become heated where the sun’s rays fall directly on the
slopes of the high lands. But to the opposite side of the slope, the air remains cold due to the inclined or
feeble sun’s rays.

8. Soil. The structure of soil or its texture plays a vital role in the preservation of temperature. The
sandy soil of the uncovered areas becomes hot as well as cold quickly. But in comparison to sandy soil, the

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 3

 FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev. 0 10-July-2020
alluvial and the clayey soil take much time to become either warm or cold due to heat preservation
capacity.
Study Guide in SSE 102 Physical Geography Module No. 6

9. Location of the Forest. The vegetation by its evaporation-transpiration activity helps the air to be
saturated with water vapour, and this saturated air being condensed brings rainfall. Besides, the intensity
of storms and cyclones are reduced being obstructed by the forest. The air of the dense forest remains
comparatively cold as the sun rays cannot penetrate the dense to heat the soil.

Insolation and Air Temperature

Variation in Insolation. The atmosphere receives 99.97 per cent of its total energy from the sun.
The energy thus received from the sun is transformed as heat energy or energy of motion in the
atmosphere. The amount of energy received from the sun by the earth through radiation in the form of
small waves is the insolation. During transmission, a considerable amount of this energy is absorbed,
scattered and reflected by the atmosphere. In the clear sky, about 80 per cent of this energy can reach the
earth through the atmosphere and the rest of 20 per cent is lost in the space. Even the total energy that
the earth receives from the sun is not distributed equally throughout the world. The amount of energy
received by the equatorial region, in comparison to this, loses less amount of energy. On the other hand,
the condition is just the opposite in the Polar Regions, in other words, the Polar Regions lose more energy
than what they receive. The solar energy tries to bring equilibrium of this unequal distribution of insolation
through the wind movement and the ocean currents.

The Controlling Factors of Insolation. The amount of insolation that any portion of the earth’s
surface gets in a day will depend on two factors viz., (a) the intensity of insolation depends on the
verticality or the inclination of the sun’s rays, (b) duration of the day in comparison to night and the solar
radiation. With the changing positions of the sun, the above two factors act separately from the equatorial
region to the poles in different latitudes and in different seasons.

The earth’s crust gets sufficient time, if the day is long, to receive more solar energy and
consequently both the earth’s crust and the atmosphere become warm. On the other hand, if any place,
the nights are longer, then that place remains cold as it receives less amount of insolation due to short
duration of day time.

Air Temperature. The warmth and the coldness situation of the atmosphere is the air temperature.
The sun’s rays or the solar energy is the major reason for such warmth or coldness of the atmosphere.

Transformation of Temperature between the Earth’s Crust and the Atmosphere. Temperature is
transferred between the earth’s crust and the atmosphere by three processes. These are radiation,
conduction and convection.

Radiation. Electromagnetic waves can transfer energy (both temperature and light) into two
objects without any medium. The same process also occurs in case of solar energy. Sun rays of a fixed wave
length reach the earth penetrating the atmosphere through this process. Again by radiating heat through
this process, the earth becomes cold.

Conduction. This is a process by which heat can be transferred through a close contact. In this way
heat is transferred from one part of an object to another. The crust of the earth becomes heated by the
process of transference of heat.

Convection. The heated particles transfer heat from hot areas to the cold areas through the
process of convection. This process is also found to occur in case of liquid and gas. In this case, the liquid or
gas becomes lighter being heated and rises up and the surrounding cold liquid or gas occupies the vacuum
space. The temperature of the atmosphere is transferred this way. So, the sun’s rays through radiation,
after penetrating the atmosphere, reach the earth’s surface. Through conduction, the earth’s surface is
heated and by convection, there is an exchange of temperature between water and the atmosphere.

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 4

 FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev. 0 10-July-2020

Study GuideDistribution of Temperature.

in SSE 102 Physical Geography Due to the influence of latitudeModule
and altitude,
No. 6 the temperature of
different places differs in different seasons. There is a change of temperature of any locality due to diurnal
and annual motion of the earth. Besides, variation of temperature occurs due to wind movement.

So, though the temperature differs in different places, yet we get an average distribution pattern of
seasonal temperature throughout the world. Isotherms are used to show the distribution of average
temperature. The imaginary lines joining the points of equal temperature on a map is known as Isotherm.
The isotherms show the temperature of all points or the average for many days or several months of a year
for any particular time. With the change of season, the highest temperature is also changed in the
northern and southern hemispheres. For example, the lowest and the highest temperature are recorded in
the month of January and July respectively in the northern hemisphere. But during that time, completely,
opposite condition prevails in the southern hemisphere.

Air Pressure

Like any other matter, the air has its own weight. The pressure of the air thus created due to the
weight of the air is known as air pressure.

Pressure Belts

Due to the variation of temperature in different latitudes and the rotation of the earth, several
pressure zones have been formed at the lower layer of the atmosphere which is known as pressure belts.

1. Equatorial Low Pressure Belt. This Equatorial Low Pressure Belt occupies an area lying on both
sides of the equator extending from 0° to 5°. This region receives vertical sun’s rays throughout the whole
year. The air pressure is low over this region as the air in comparison to its surrounding areas is hot and
light. Moreover, this region has more water bodies. As a result, low pressure which is known as Equatorial
Low Pressure Belt has been formed.

2. Tropical High Pressure Belt. More the equatorial hot, humid and light air goes up, more it
becomes cold. Thus warm air continuously rises up but it cannot come down in the equatorial zone. As a
result, the upper air starts moving towards north and south. In this way, the upper cold and heavy air starts
coming down in the tropical region between 25° to 30°. Thus two heavy pressure belts are formed in the
mid region between 25° to 35° North and South latitudes. These two pressure belts are known as the
Tropical High Pressure Belts (One over the Tropical of Cancer and the other one over the Tropic of
Capricorn).

3. Sub polar Low Pressure Belt. The rotational force of the earth at two Polar Regions is very high.
As a result, the wind of these two regions moves towards the tropics. During that time, the pressure of the
wind decreases at two arctic regions (between 60° to 70° latitudes) creating two low pressure belts. These
two are known as Sub polar Low Pressure Belts.

4. Polar High Pressure Belt. The wind nearer to the two poles is very cold and heavy due to the
location in the cold regions. So, two high pressure belts have been formed at two Polar Regions. These two
are known as Polar High Pressure Belts. The wind from these two high pressure belts moves towards the
sub polar low pressure belts.

The value of pressure is shown as milibar (mb). At the sea level, this pressure of the air is about 6.7
kg. per 6.45 square centimetres. The pressure of the wind decreases with the increase of altitude. Sea level
height is internationally accepted as zero (0) height to measure the air pressure. The pressure of the wind
is measured by an instrument known as Barometer. The lines joining the places on a map having equal
average pressure is known as Isobar. The air moves from high pressure area towards low pressure area.

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 5

 FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev. 0 10-July-2020
Due to difference in temperature and pressure the air moves from one part of the earth to another.
ThisGuide
Study movement
in SSE 102of the airGeography
Physical is known as wind. Module No. 6

The wind has certain specific characteristics as follows:

1. The cold and heavy air moves from the areas of high pressure to low pressure area.
2. According to Ferrell’s Law, the air moves towards right in the northern hemisphere and towards
left in the southern hemisphere.

Wind System. The wind system of the earth can be divided into four types. These are planetary
wind, seasonal wind, local wind, and irregular wind.

A. Planetary Wind. These winds being controlled by the pressure belts blow towards the same
direction throughout the whole year. The planetary wind is of three types such as: the trade wind, the
westerlies and the polar wind.

The Trade Wind. The sun’s rays fall vertically over the equatorial region, so the air becomes hot and
goes upwards. Since the pressure is less upward, the rising air gets room for expansion and consequently
the air becomes cool and dense. The cool air could not come down directly due to warm air at the bottom.
As a result, the air moves towards north and south directions through the upper atmosphere. Moving up to
30° latitudes some part of this air finds its way to come downward and blows towards the equatorial low
pressure belt. This part of the air is known as the Trade Wind. According to Ferrell’s Law, the trade wind
blows from north-east in the northern hemisphere and south-east in the southern hemisphere. The trade
wind of northern hemisphere is known as North-East Trade Wind and that of southern hemisphere as
South-East Trade Wind. The sky remains clear and the weather is hot and dry as this trade wind originates
in the high pressure zones. The big deserts of the world are situated nearer to this area. For example, the
Sahara desert, the Libyan desert, the Arabian Desert in the northern hemisphere and the Kalahari Desert in
the southern hemisphere can be mentioned.

The Westerlies, Some part of the air from 30° latitude blows towards the poles over the surface of
the earth and after reaching 60° latitude faces the cold and dense air coming from the poles. So,
comparatively the warm and light air from the tropical areas rises above the dense cold polar air and a part
of it blows towards the polar low pressure belt. This is known as West Wind. In the northern hemisphere, it
blows from south-west and in the southern hemisphere from north-west. As the area of the landmass is
greater in the northern hemisphere, so locally, some changes occur in the air motion. However, in the
southern hemisphere, the maximum area is covered by the water bodies and hence the west wind can
move uninterrupted. The velocity of the westerlies reaches at the highest between 40° to 47° South
latitude. This region is called Roaring Forties. This air movement is known as Brave West Winds. Two more
air masses regularly move from north and south polar high belts towards the sub polar lows. These are
known as north-east and south-east polar winds. In this, the circulation of planetary wind system (the
trade, the westerlies and the polar) exists between the equator and the poles.

B. Temporary Wind. The wind which is caused due to the difference of temperature of land and
water occurring during at specific time of the day or during a particular season of the year is known as
temporary wind such as: the monsoon, the land and the sea breezes.

The Monsoon. In Arabic Monsoon means season. The most important characteristics of this wind is
the changes in the wind direction with the seasons. The monsoon is also a regional air. This mainly prevails
in south and south-east Asia. Besides, that the monsoon is also observable in North Australia, part of Africa
and in the United States of America. During summer a low pressure is formed due to excessive heat along
the mid-latitudes or in the north-west of the Indian sub-continent. Hot and moist air from the adjacent
oceans blows towards the continent. According to Ferrel’s Law, after crossing the equator this wind is
transformed into the south-west monsoon. This wind being obstructed by the high mountains, causes
heavy shower on the land.

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 6

 FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev. 0 10-July-2020
During winter the interior part of Asia remains very cold and so there creates a high pressure cells.
TheGuide
Study coldinair
SSEblows from Geography
102 Physical the north-east high pressure area of the landmass towards
Module No. 6 the low pressure zone
of the ocean. As this air originates in landmass, it is dry and it doesn’t contain any water vapour. This is why
the Central and South Asian regions remain dry in winter. However, when this blows over the Bay of
Bengal it acquires great amount of water moisture and ultimately causes shower to the coast of Sri Lanka
and Tamil Nadu. This air, however, when crosses the equator according to Ferrel’s Law blows over North
Australia as the north-east monsoon and acquires large amount of water moisture from the Indian Ocean
causing heavy shower to northern Australia.

Land and Sea Breezes. In the coastal regions, the temperature of local landmass increases with the
advancement of the day and a low pressure is established locally and comparatively the cool air from the
adjacent sea blows towards the land.
This is known as sea breeze. The velocity of this air reaches to its maximum in the afternoon. The air
blows from the high pressure zone formed over the ocean towards low pressure area over the landmass as
the temperature in the afternoon increases. After the sun set, the landmass cools quickly in comparison to
the ocean. During that time, the high pressure prevails over the landmass. So, the air moves from the high
pressure area formed over the landmass towards the ocean. This is known as the Land Breeze.

C. Local Wind. The wind which is created due to the difference in diversity of landscapes and in
temperature is known as local wind. There are about several hundreds of such local winds such as the
valley and the mountain breeze.

Valley and Mountain Breeze. A special type of wind movement is found to occur in the
mountainous regions due to the relief of the land. During the day time, the sides of the mountains become
warmer in comparison to the bottom of the valley. As a result, the high pressure prevails at the bottom of
the valley and low pressure on the sides of the mountains. The wind which is found to rise upwards along
the slopes of the mountains during day time is known as valley wind. During night time, the slopes of the
mountains cool down due to radiation. At this time, the valley floor remains comparatively hot. So, the
cool and heavy air comes down the slopes of the mountain. The wind which during night time moves along
the slope of the mountains towards the valley floor is known as the mountain breeze.

D. Irregular Wind. In some places, the air pressure decreases and low pressure is formed due to
high temperature. Again, high pressure is localized in some places due to much coldness. The wind
movements thus formed is known as Irregular Wind such as: cyclones and anti-cyclones.

Atmospheric Humidity and Precipitation

Humidity is the amount of water vapour present in the air. The humidity of the air can be expressed
in two ways such as, absolute humidity and relative humidity. Absolute humidity refers to the amount of
water vapour per unit volume of air.

On the other hand, relative humidity represents the amount of water vapour actually present in the
air (absolute humidity) compared with on the other hand, relative humidity is the ratio of the amount of
water vapour actually present (absolute humidity) in the air to the amount of water vapour required to
saturate the same amount of air at a given temperature and pressure.

The humidity of the air mainly depends on the water vapour. The air receives the water vapour
through evaporation of water from the open water bodies (sea, rivers and small water bodies) as well as
from vegetation. The air is said to be saturated when at a particular temperature, the air cannot absorb
more water vapour.

If the air starts cooling it cannot hold the water vapour it had, then some of the water vapour is
transformed into water particles. This is known as condensation temperature at which the water vapour is
condensed is known as dew point.

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 7

 FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev. 0 10-July-2020
If the temperature is 0° Celsius or remains below freezing point, then the water vapour becomes
hard
Study andinfalls
Guide onPhysical
SSE 102 the earth’s surface as ice crystals or snow. But if the Module
Geography condensation
No. 6 temperature or dew
point remains above the freezing temperature then the water vapour after condensation becomes dew,
fog or rains.

Snow. In the cold regions, if the temperature falls below the freezing point then the water vapour
of the air condenses like the carded cotton and falls on the earth. This is known as snow.

Dew. After radiating the temperature, the earth’s crust gets cold at night. The atmospheric stratum
adjacent to the earth’s crust also becomes cold coming in contact with the cold earth. So, the water vapour
containing capacity of the air is also decreased and hence the extra amount of water vapour which the air
cannot carry is transformed to water and rest on the earth as water drops. This is known as dew. In the
cold regions when the temperature of the earth’s crust goes below the freezing point then the dew is
condensed to frost.

Fog. In the winter season due to close contact with earth crust, the temperature in the lower
atmospheric strata is decreased. Consequently, centering the dust particles of the air, condensation starts
in the lower strata of the atmosphere which is ultimately transformed to tiny water particles. These water
particles remain in the air in a floating state. This is known as fog.

Rainfall. Saturated air going up becomes cool and condensed and transformed into cloud. A cloud
contains innumerable water and ice particles. These water and ice particles coalesce together to form a
bigger size of water particles which due to gravitational force fall on the earth’s surface as rain. The rainfall
is of four types such as: convectional, orographic, cyclonic and frontal.

Convectional Rain. In the low pressure region, the air being heated goes high into the atmosphere
and expands. So, it easily cools down. The rainfall which is caused due to condensation of the water vapour
is known as convectional rain. The rising air, in the equatorial low pressure zone, contains plenty of water
vapour and on condensation causes regular Convectional rain there.

Orographic Rain. The moisture laden wind is forced to rise up the slope of the obstructed
mountain, is cooled down and on condensation causes rain on the windward side of the mountain. This
type of rainfall is known as Orographic rain. No rainfall is found to occur on the other side of the mountain
as the air remains dry. This side is known as Leeward Slope. The southwest monsoon being obstructed by
the hills of Meghalay gives abundant orographic rain in Sylhet.

Cyclonic Rain. The air from the centre of the cyclone rising upward becomes cool. At this moment,
the excess water vapour of the air condenses and causes rainfall. This type of rainfall is called as Cyclonic
rain.

Frontal Rain. When the cold and warm air masses meet together, then it coming in contact with
cold air, the temperature of the warm air decreases and reaches the condensation level. This condensation
is deepened and gives rain in the conflict area. This is known as Frontal rain. This type of rain is found in
the temperate regions.

Monsoon Climate

Characteristics of the Monsoon

It has been discussed earlier that the monsoon is a seasonal wind in which there is a complete or
almost complete reversal of wind direction. Along with the change of direction of wind, there is also a
change in the characteristics of the monsoon wind. Due to the reversal nature of the wind direction, the
winter remains dry and abundant rain comes in summer. The air is dry in winter as it originates in the
landmass. During winter season, the monsoon wind starts blowing from the landmass and while Crossing
Ocean it absorbs moisture and brings abundant rainfall on the landmass it comes across. The winter

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 8

 FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev. 0 10-July-2020
monsoon causes rainfall in the north-east coast of Sri Lanka, in the coast of Tamil Nadu, in West Japan and
in the
Study Guideeast coast
in SSE of theGeography
102 Physical Philippines. The summer monsoon, as it blows
Modulefrom
No. 6 the ocean towards the

landmass, carries sufficient moisture with it. As a result, heavy shower occurs. It is due to the effect of the
monsoon, that the variation of temperature is less between the winter and the summer in the low
latitudes. However, the intensity of winter is well felt in the mid-latitudes. During this time, the cold
continental air mass can reach the mid-latitudes. The mid-latitudinal regions come under the influence of
tropical air mass in summer. So, hot weather prevails there.

Geographical Locations of the Monsoon

Most of the monsoon regions are located in Asia, particularly in South and South-East Asia. The
vastness of Asia, the situation of the Himalayas and the location of the warm water in south-eastern part
create great difference in temperature between the landmass and the water bodies. This difference of
temperature is the cause for the formation of the monsoon. The monsoon climate of South and South-East
Asia covers India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia
and the Philippines. Besides, the monsoon climate is also found to prevail in China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea
and the northern coast of Australia.

Monsoon Climate of South Asia

Three seasons are found in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India due to the influence of
monsoon climate. These are:

1. Winter season: From October to the end of February.

2. Summer season: From March to the end of May.
3. Rainy season: From June to the end of September.

Among the three seasons, the rainy season is most important. The air blows from the land to the
ocean in winter and from the ocean to the land in summer. South Asian countries experience more or less
rainfall in all the seasons in different localities. But about 80 per cent of the total rainfall occurs in the rainy
seasons. The winter season in this region starts to prevail just after the rainy season. The durability and
intensity of winter differs with the variation of the regions. As for example, the intensity of winter is
moderate in central Bangladesh and is simply unbearable in northern India during the same period.
Temperature shows an increase from March and reaches to the maximum in May. A low pressure develops
during this period over the area causing the maritime air to blow towards this region. By June this maritime
air reaches the landmass with its fullest intensity and in this way the burst of the monsoon starts which
brings the rainy season.

Monsoon Climate of South-East and East Asia

The winter monsoon of South-East Asia is influenced by the Siberian air mass and so it is cold and
dry. The wind first blows towards the east and then takes a turn towards the equatorial region. As this
wind blows over the ocean, it causes abundant rain in the western coast of Japan, in the Philippines, and in
South China. Due to the formation of the low pressure in Central Asia during summer (May to September),
the air from the adjacent oceans starts to blow towards East and South-East Asia. Consequently, it gives
rain first in South-East Asia and later in East Asian countries.

Importance of the Monsoon

The impact of monsoon is very much important in the agricultural sector, particularly in South and
East Asia. The crop calendar of these regions is mostly controlled by the monsoon climate. For example,

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 9

 FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev. 0 10-July-2020
the agriculture of Bangladesh is hard hit by drought if monsoon rain does not start in time and if the
rainfall
Study Guideisinnot
SSEin
102required quantity.
Physical Geography Module No. 6

LEARNING ACTIVITY 1

1. Why is ozone important for life on Earth? Where is it found and how is it formed? How is human activity
influencing this important atmospheric gas?
2. Discuss how the Greenhouse Effect works? How has human activity over the last few centuries
enhanced this natural process? How will global warming change the environment of the Earth?
3. Describe the climatic characteristics of the following Koppen Climate Classifications: Cfa, Cs, and Cfb.
4. Outline the climatic characteristics and associated weather phenomena of the following three Koppen
climate regimes Am, Af, and Aw.

SUMMARY

The coverage of the air which surrounds the earth is known as atmosphere. Atmosphere is formed
by the mixture of different gases. The main two constituent elements of fresh and dry air are nitrogen and
oxygen.

The atmospheric layers are divided into four divisions such as: Troposphere, Stratosphere,
Mesosphere and Thermosphere.

REFERENCES

http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/contents.html

http://164.100.133.129:81/econtent/Uploads/Physical_Geography.pdf

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 10