Question

1. what best explains the pattern for the location of deserts? image: distribution of world deserts (a map showing desert regions)

Explanation:

Deserts are often located around 30° latitude (both north and south) due to the global circulation of air masses. At these latitudes, the descending air from the Hadley cells (a part of atmospheric circulation) is dry, as the air has already released moisture in the tropics when it rose, cooled, and condensed. This descending dry air creates high - pressure zones with little cloud formation and precipitation, leading to arid conditions suitable for desert formation. Also, other factors like rain shadows (where mountains block moist air, causing the leeward side to be dry) and cold ocean currents (which reduce evaporation and thus moisture in the air above coastal areas) can contribute, but the 30° latitude - related atmospheric circulation is a key global pattern - setting factor for desert locations.

Answer:

Deserts are largely located around 30° north and south latitudes due to descending dry air from Hadley cell circulation (creating high - pressure, arid conditions), with additional influences from rain shadows and cold ocean currents in some cases.