Question 791Navigation General
70% to passOn the pole side of the trade wind belt, there is an area of high pressure with weak pressure gradients and light, variable winds. This area is called the _______________.
The correct answer is C) horse latitudes. The horse latitudes refer to the area of high pressure and light, variable winds located on the poleward side of the trade wind belt. This area is characterized by weak pressure gradients and calm or light winds, which can sometimes cause ships to become becalmed. The term "horse latitudes" originates from the historical practice of throwing horses overboard to conserve supplies when ships became stuck in this region. The other options are incorrect because: A) Geostrophic winds are not directly related to the horse latitudes. B) The doldrums refer to the equatorial region of calm winds, not the horse latitudes. D) The prevailing westerlies are the winds found poleward of the horse latitudes, not the horse latitudes themselves.
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