Q. Which of the following statements with regard to Coastal Deserts is/are correct?
1.They develop along the eastern edges of continents where warm ocean currents stimulate intense coastal convective downpours.
2.The Namib Desert in Africa and the Atacama Desert in South America are classic examples where heavy advection fog occurs despite near-zero rainfall.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer: B
Notes:
Detailed Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect: Coastal deserts develop along the western edges of continents (e.g., Atacama, Namib), where cold ocean currents (like the Humboldt and Benguela currents) run parallel to the shore, suppressing rainfall.
- Statement 2 is correct: Cold air passing over warm surfaces creates a strong thermal inversion layer. This creates thick, dense coastal fog (locally called camanchaca in the Atacama) that rolls inland, serving as the primary source of moisture for highly specialized endemic species.
