Air mass theory is also called ITCZ ( Intertropical convergence theory); it is a modern theory that explains the origin and mechanism of the Monsoon phenomenon.
The inter-Tropical Convergence Zone(ITCZ) is a low-pressure zone where trade winds from both hemispheres meet. The location of ITCZ is not static it moves with the apparent movement of the Sun northward and southward.
Location of ITCZ with to Sun Movements:
- March: it is near the Equator
- April: near 8 degrees north latitude
- May: near 16 degrees north latitude
- June: near 24 degrees north latitude
With the apparent movement of the Sun northward,; ITCZ, pressure belt, thermo bar follow the same. trade winds from the southern hemisphere follow the same but due to the Coriolis force trade winds from the southern hemisphere bends right and enter India from the Southwest direction that is from the Arabian sea; that is why it is also called southwest monsoon or Arabian sea branch of Monsoon.
Maritime tropical air mass( mT) from the southern hemisphere rush to the low pressure of Indian continents.
Limitation of Air mass theory:
- It failed to explain the sudden burst of Monsson. ITCZ is already on the Indian continent from April month but there is no monsoon in April and May month.
- Discuss the major characteristics of the Indian monsoon with special emphasis on the causative factors( UPSC 1922)
- Discuss the recent theories put forward to explain the origin and mechanism of the Indian Monsoon. ( UPSC, 1994)
- Elucidate the mechanism of the Indian Monsoon( UPSC, 1999)
- Explain the Origin, Mechanism, and characteristics of the Summer Monsoon in India. ( UPSC 2002)
- Give a Critical account of the recent theories of the origin of the Indian monsoon with special reference to the Jet Stream Theory. (UPSC, 2006)
- Discuss the mechanism and origin of Monsoon winds and explain the role of El Nino on Monsoon circulation. ( UPSC, 2008)
- Discuss the mechanism of the Indian Monsoon (UPSC 2013)
- Discuss the nature and origin of the Indian monsoon and recent techniques for its prediction. ( UPSC, 2014)
- Give a reasonable account of the Unusual Pattern of Distribution of Monsoonal rainfall in India. ( UPSC, 2017)
- Why is the monsoon erratic in nature? Explain. ( UPSC 2019)
- Explain the origin, progress, and retreat of the Indian monsoon and discuss its impact on the Indian economy. (UPSC 2018, 250 words, 20 marks)
- Elaborate on the origin of monsoon with reference to thermal and recent concepts. ( UPPSC 2020)
- Origin and Mechanism of Indian Monsoon
- Rainfall Pattern of Indian Monsoon
- Jet stream theory of Monsoon
- Characteristics or Nature of Indian monsoon
- Air Mass Theory of Monsoon or ITCZ theory
- Thermal theory of monsoon by Halley
- El Nino | La Nina |SO| ENSO| IOD-Indian Ocean Dipole
- Elaborate on the origin of monsoon with reference to thermal and recent concepts.
- Recent Theory of Origin and Mechanism of Monsoon
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon