Unequal distribution of land and water
- Earth is about 70.8% water and 29.2% land.
- The northern hemisphere has more landmass compared to the southern hemisphere, affecting ocean temperature patterns.
- While water covers most of the planet, it’s not evenly distributed.
- Only 3% of Earth’s water is freshwater suitable for human consumption.
- Most freshwater is locked away in glaciers (69%) and groundwater (30%).
- Lakes, rivers, and swamps hold a very small percentage of less than one per cent of freshwater.
- The land is not evenly spread out either.
- Large continents like Eurasia and Africa dominate, while smaller land masses are scattered across the globe.
Impact of Unequal distribution of land and water
- Water Scarcity: Uneven freshwater distribution leads to water scarcity in many regions, impacting agriculture, human health, and ecosystems.
- Climate Patterns: The unequal distribution of land and water influences global climate patterns. Land heats and cools faster than water, affecting ocean currents and atmospheric circulation.
- Sea Level Rise: Melting glaciers due to climate change can contribute to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities and ecosystems.
- Biodiversity: Landmass distribution influences the distribution of biomes and ecosystems.
Temperature of Ocean Water| Class 11 Chapter 12 Geography Notes
The ocean water temperature is directly affected by the amount of radiation received from the sun on the ocean surface. The latitudes are closer to the equator and receive direct sunlight all over the years the ocean surface is warmer in these regions where sunlight falls.
The ocean temperatures are different in terms of depth and longitude. There is an inverse relation between the depth and temperature of the ocean. Wherever in the ocean if the depth is deeper than the lower the temperature would be.
In this article, You will learn about the Temperature of ocean water, the Horizontal and Vertical distribution of the ocean temp, and many more related to the topic.
Temperature of Ocean Water| Class 11 Chapter 12 Geography Notes