SSC
The heat zone of the Earth lying between the Arctic Circle and the North Pole is called the:
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Answer: Option D — Frigid zone
Detailed Solution
The North Frigid Zone lies between the Arctic Circle (about 66.5 degrees North) and the North Pole (90 degrees North). Similarly, the South Frigid Zone lies between the Antarctic Circle (about 66.5 degrees South) and the South Pole.
Heat zones of the Earth:
- Based on the amount of solar heat received, the Earth is divided into three main heat zones, separated by important parallels of latitude:
- The tropical belt between the two Tropics (23.5 degrees North and South), which receives the most heat.
- The two temperate zones, between the Tropics and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, with moderate temperatures.
- The two frigid zones, from the Arctic and Antarctic Circles to the poles, which are very cold.
Why the frigid zones are so cold:
- The Sun's rays fall on these regions at a very low angle, so the same amount of energy is spread over a larger area.
- Snow and ice reflect much of the sunlight that does reach the surface.
Midnight sun and polar night:
- Within the frigid zones, the Sun does not set for at least one full day in summer; this is the "midnight sun".
- In winter, there is at least one day when the Sun does not rise at all; this is the "polar night".
- At the poles themselves, there are about six months of daylight followed by six months of darkness.
Life in the frigid zones:
- The North Frigid Zone includes the Arctic Ocean, northern parts of Russia, Canada, Alaska (USA), Greenland, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
- Tundra vegetation, consisting of mosses, lichens and small shrubs, grows in summer.
- Animals such as polar bears, Arctic foxes, reindeer (caribou) and seals live there.
- The South Frigid Zone covers Antarctica, the coldest continent, where India runs the research stations Maitri and Bharati.
Why not the other options?
- ✗The temperate zones lie between the Tropics and the Arctic or Antarctic Circles.
- ✗The tropical and equatorial zones lie near the Equator and are warm throughout the year.
Quick tip
Remember: Frigid zones = Arctic/Antarctic Circle (66.5 degrees) to the poles; midnight sun in summer, polar night in winter.
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This question tests your understanding of Atmosphere, Weather & Climate, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
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