What Are Seasonal and Diurnal variations? | UPSC Geography

The Seasonal and Diurnal variations are quite important to understand about the earth and the changes that happen throughout the year. So today we will be discussing in detail seasonal and diurnal variations. 

Seasonal Variation is a characteristic feature of the earth. In simple terms, Seasonal variation is the division of the year based on the changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a region. The earth’s seasons are divided into spring, summer, autumn, and winter. There are various that are responsible for seasonal variations. The earth rotates on its own axis during the revolution around the Sun. 

The rotation exposed different parts of the earth to sunlight at different times. It plays a major role in the formation of seasons. Another major reason is that the Earth is tilted with an angle of 23.5degrees on its axis. Because of this tilt, the northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere face the sun alternatively. This causes varying seasons in different hemispheres. 

While revolving around the Sun, Earth has to face extreme temperatures during its distance from the Sun. When the Earth is nearest to Sun, the temperature will be higher, this phenomenon is called perihelion, and when the Earth is farthest from the Sun, the temperature will be lower, this phenomenon is called aphelion. 

Diurnal variation or diurnal cycle is a pattern that occurs every 24 hours as a result of one full rotation of the Earth around its axis. When the Earth rotates around its axis, it causes temperature fluctuations, as well as weather changes throughout the year. Diurnal cycles may be sinusoidal or include components of a truncated sinusoid and thermal relaxation at night. 

The cycle also has a great impact on carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere due to the processes such as photosynthesis and cellular respiration. The Diurnal cycles also have biological effects as they can cause clinical depression in humans. Even the plants respond to environmental cycles may even include indirect cycles in rhizosphere microbial activities that include nitrogen fixation. 

So this is all about seasonal and diurnal variations in ecology. They are quite important to the earth and they are the major reason that causes changes in temperature and seasons.

Also Read

• What is the Inclination Of The Earth’s Axis and its effects? | UPSC Geography
• What is the internal structure of the earth and the sources for claims? | UPSC Geography

Follow Us For More Content On:

https://www.instagram.com/topperment/

https://www.facebook.com/TopperMent

https://www.youtube.com/@topperment