Spatial Distributions of Temperature

Latitude

One of the major influences on global temperatures is latitude. For this section you will need to refer to, “Global mean temperatures for July,” 4CE, Figure 5.13, p.130 (3CE Figure 5.16, p.125).

On this map the isotherms, the lines joining points of equal temperature, are spaced 3°C
The red isotherms are above 0°C. The blue isotherms are 0°C and below.

Look at the isotherms in the Pacific Ocean, at the very left-hand edge of the map.

What is the temperature at the Equator?

Question

Spatial Distributions of Temperature

Latitude

One of the major influences on global temperatures is latitude.  For this section you will need to refer to, “Global mean temperatures for July,” 4CE, Figure 5.13, p.130 (3CE Figure 5.16, p.125).

On this map the isotherms, the lines joining points of equal temperature, are spaced 3°C
The red isotherms are above 0°C. The blue isotherms are 0°C and below.

Look at the isotherms in the Pacific Ocean, at the very left-hand edge of the map.

What is the temperature at the Equator?

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To tackle this question, I’ll consider what the isotherm map and the description imply about temperatures along the equator in the Pacific region.
Option 1: 33°C. This would place the equatorial temperature at a fairly high value. While coastal and oceanic regions near the equator can reach warm temperatures, 33°C would be unusually high for global July averages and would require the isotherms to be packed very tightly around the equator, which the description does not suggest.
Option 2: 24°C. A temperature of 24°C at the Equator would be cooler than typical tropical sea surface temperatures seen near the equator in July. If this were the case, the isotherms would need to reflect a lower value near the equator than is commonly observed, which would contradict the general expectation of warm equatorial waters.
Option 3: 21°C. 21°C is even cooler and would place the equatorial region far from the typical warm tropical baseline. Such a low value would imply an unusual climatic condition or a misplacement of the isotherms, not aligning with the described 3°C-spaced isotherms and the noted warm/red color above 0°C.
Option 4: 27°C. A value of 27°C at the Equator fits well with standard tropical sea-surface temperatures and with the description that isotherms are spaced by 3°C. If you’re looking along the left edge of the Pacific, being around 27°C would place the equator between 24°C and 30°C isotherms, which is consistent with typical warm equatorial waters and the diagram’s color cues.
Option 5: 30°C. While 30°C is plausible for equatorial seas, the question points toward identifying the temperature at the Equator based on the left edge of the Pacific and the 3°C spacing. If 30°C were the equatorial value, the isotherms would be centered around that point, potentially leaving little room for the 27°C value shown by the provided answer key and typical tropical distributions, making this choice less consistent with the described map.
In summary, considering the 3°C spacing of isotherms and the typical warmth of equatorial Pacific waters, 27°C best corresponds to the Equator on the map described, while the other options either overstate or understate the expected tropical temperatures and would require inconsistent isotherm placements.

GEOG 102-PTS1-Online Lab3

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