Analyze the dynamics of global atmospheric circulation cells: Statement I: The Hadley cell is a thermally driven direct circulation cell where warm air rises near the equator, flows poleward aloft, descends in the subtropical high-pressure belt, and returns via surface trade winds. Statement II: The Ferrel cell is driven thermally by intense surface cooling at the poles, causing dense air to sink and flow equatorward. Which of the following is correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Statement one is correct as the Hadley cell operates through direct thermal convection powered by intense equatorial heating and subtropical subsidence. Statement two is incorrect because the Ferrel cell is not thermally driven; rather, it is an indirect circulation cell maintained mechanically by the momentum transfer from the adjacent Hadley and Polar cells. Polar cells are thermally driven by intense radiational cooling over high-latitude ice sheets.