ITCZ Full Form

In order to get insights into the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone, a preliminary idea regarding the trade winds is necessary. Trade winds are also known as easterlies. This kind of wind flows from the east to the west direction and this direction never gets changed. The trade winds are found to be blown in the equatorial region. When the easterlies of both the northern as well as southern hemispheres come together, both the trade winds converge thereby giving rise to the name of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone. The area is also known for its low atmospheric pressure around the equator. 

Features of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone

The Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone has been differentiated from other areas due to some of its unique features. The prime characteristics that make this zone distinct from others are-

• Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone is located almost parallel to the equatorial region encircling the Earth
• The equatorial regions are referred to as places that are located near the equator and are often characterized by extreme hot and humid temperatures
• The warm water of the equatorial region heats the air in ITCZ thereby making it buoyant and humid
• Convergence of the easterlies of both the Northern and the Southern hemispheres can be noticed in this region
• The convergence of trade winds results in heavy rain and thunderstorms having a height of 10 miles and a speed of 16 kilometres
• The Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone is not steady and it keeps on moving depending on the position of the Sun
• As the water takes more time to heat up compared to the land, ITCZ tends to shift from North or South and from water to land
• The seasonal changes in the tropical regions are majorly determined by the ITCZ

• Doldrums, high cloudiness, calmness in the surface air, etc. can be found in the region of ITCZ which makes it a very unpredictable region

Shifting Nature of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone

It has already been mentioned in the salient features of the ITCZ that it is not steady and keeps changing or moving depending on the position of the Sun. The ITCZ holds utmost importance in climate control as the wet and dry seasons of the tropical regions or the places located near the equator get entirely dependent on this shifting nature of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone. The mentioned zone exhibits movement in a poleward direction and this movement is more prominent over the lands compared to the waters as the water takes a lot more time to heat up than the land. The movement of the ITCZ is also more evident in the Northern hemisphere than in the Southern hemisphere. Propagation of the ITCZ can be up to 30 degrees in the north direction from the equator in Eastern Asia. A propagation of 5 to 15 degrees in the north direction from the Equator is seen in the ITCZ during July and August over the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans. An extension towards the Southern direction is shown by the ITCZ during January in several countries like South Africa, South America and Australia. Migration of the ITCZ towards the subtropical and tropical latitudes during the summer season results in the formation of tropical cyclones due to enhanced Coriolis force.

Importance of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone

The mentioned zone has gained significant importance not only because of its unique features that make this region distinct from others but also for its contribution to climatic control. The ITCZ also plays a crucial role in the global circulation system. It is a system that states how storms and air travels over the surface of the Earth which largely depends on the Earth’s rotation and its direction. The region has gained significant importance due to its unpredictable nature of weather and took the name doldrums from the sailors. It is considered a nautical term provided by the sailors as during the ancient periods, ships used to get stuck in the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone due to the absence of wind resulting in windless waters. This zone can be dangerous for the safety of the flights also as the flights might encounter turbulence, wind shear, icing, lightning, etc. 

Conclusion  

The Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone has been a significant region along the Earth’s equator and acts as a major contributing factor in determining the dry and wet seasons of the equatorial regions. The mentioned zone has been known as the doldrums by the ancient sailors due to its unpredictable nature of weather. The windless waters used to strike ships for months in these regions thereby giving rise to such names. Cloudy weather, heavy rains, thunderstorms, etc are commonly seen in this region thereby making it a threatening region for flights too. The shifting nature of the ITCZ has made it significant in climate control.