thermal equator

views updated May 08 2018

thermal equator The zone of highest mean temperature over the Earth, either in the annual or long-term average or at a given moment. On the long-term average, it is located around 5°N latitude. This position north of the geographical equator results from the generally rather higher temperature of the northern hemisphere as compared with the southern hemisphere; this is because the glaciated Antarctic continent maintains colder summers in the southern hemisphere than does the Arctic, with a much smaller land area, in the northern hemisphere. See also COLD POLE.

thermal equator

views updated May 18 2018

thermal equator The zone of highest mean temperature over the Earth, either in the annual or long-term average or at a given moment. On the long-term average, it is located around 5°N latitude. This position north of the geographical equator results from the generally rather higher temperature of the northern hemisphere as compared with the southern hemisphere; this is because the glaciated Antarctic continent maintains colder summers in the southern hemisphere than does the Arctic, with a much smaller land area, in the northern hemisphere. See also cold pole.

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