The Red Sea receives very little precipitation in any form.
No water enters the Red Sea from rivers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
The correct answer is (c) Both 1 and 2.
Statement 1: The Red Sea receives very little precipitation in any form.
This statement is correct. The Red Sea region receives extremely low rainfall, averaging about 60 mm (2.36 inches) per year, with most of it occurring as short showers often accompanied by thunderstorms and dust storms.
Statement 2: No water enters the Red Sea from rivers.
This statement is also correct. The Red Sea is surrounded by desert or semi-desert areas and has no major freshwater inflow from rivers.
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Geographical Location:
The Red Sea is a semi-enclosed tropical basin located between northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It extends from the Mediterranean Sea in the northwest to the Indian Ocean in the southeast, connected via the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb, respectively.
Climate:
The climate of the Red Sea is characterized by very high surface temperatures and high salinity. It experiences two monsoon seasons: a northeasterly monsoon and a southwesterly monsoon. The average surface water temperature ranges from 26 °C (79 °F) in the north to 30 °C (86 °F) in the south during summer, with minimal variation in winter.
Hydrology:
The Red Sea has a unique hydrological system with no river inflow and high evaporation rates, leading to high salinity levels. The water mass exchanges with the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean via the Gulf of Aden, which helps mitigate the high salinity caused by evaporation.
Salinity:
The Red Sea is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world, with salinity levels ranging from 36 parts per thousand in the southern part to 41 parts per thousand in the northern part around the Gulf of Suez. This high salinity is due to high evaporation rates and the lack of significant freshwater inflow.
Biodiversity:
The Red Sea supports a diverse range of marine life, including coral reefs, sea turtles, dugongs, dolphins, and many endemic fish species. The unique habitats are recognized and protected by initiatives such as the Ras Mohammed National Park in Egypt.
Economic Aspects:
The Red Sea region is rich in mineral resources, including petroleum deposits, evaporite deposits, sulfur, phosphates, and heavy-metal deposits. It is also a crucial trade route connecting Europe to Asia through the Suez Canal and is known for its recreational diving sites.
Formation:
The Red Sea is a relatively young sea, formed by the seafloor spreading that began about 55 million years ago. The basin continues to widen at a rate of 1-2 cm per year, making it one of the youngest oceanic zones on Earth.
