There is less atmosphere to pass through at the Equator compared to the poles. This means more heat from the sun makes it to the surface of the Earth. The rotation of the Earth means that the Equator faces the sun all year round whereas the poles can be darkness for six months of the year. This results in different climate zones in different parts of the Earth: Tundra regions located at the poles are cold for the majority of the year.
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Go Paperless with Digital. Get smart. Sign Up. Support science journalism. Knowledge awaits. Less energy per unit area means lower overall temperatures. The axial tilt means that each pole receives constant sunlight during its summer when the pole is pointed toward the Sun. During winter, however, the pole receives no sunlight at all because the pole is tilted away from the Sun.
While the difference between the average equator temperature and the poles' temperatures may seem extreme, the difference would be much greater without Earth's atmosphere. The equator would become very hot and the poles become even colder.
Solar energy drives equator weather patterns, absorbing heat into thunderstorms and transferring heat from the atmosphere to the ocean as rain. Convection currents in the atmosphere cause wind patterns that move heat from the equator toward the poles. Ocean currents warmed by the Sun's energy carry heat from the equator toward the poles as well. Evaporation of surface water, rain and other precipitation, wind and ocean currents move warm air toward the poles and bring cold air toward the equator.
Karen earned her Bachelor of Science in geology. She worked as a geologist for ten years before returning to school to earn her multiple subject teaching credential.
Karen taught middle school science for over two decades, earning her Master of Arts in Science Education emphasis in geosciences along the way. Main Characteristics of the Earth's Climate Zone.
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