Question

Hurricanes do not form at the equator because

a. sea-surface temperatures typically are too low.
b. there is no Coriolis Effect.
c. fronts are present.
d. All of the above are correct.
e. None of the above is correct.

Answer 1

Hurricanes cannot form at the equator due to the absence of the Coriolis Effect, which is critical for providing the rotational movement necessary for hurricane development. The correct answer is option b.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hurricanes do not form at the equator primarily because there is no Coriolis Effect at the equator. The Coriolis force is responsible for the rotation of weather systems such as hurricanes, causing them to spin counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. However, right at the equator, the Coriolis force is effectively zero, meaning that the necessary rotational movement for hurricane formation does not occur.