Final answer:
The Kirkwood gaps in the asteroid belt are caused by gravitational resonances with Jupiter, where the repeated gravitational interactions with the planet move asteroids out of these zones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The large gaps in the asteroid belt, known as Kirkwood gaps, are caused by the gravitational resonances with the orbit of Jupiter. When the orbital period of an asteroid is an exact ratio with that of Jupiter (such as 2:3 or 3:2), the repeated gravitational influences by Jupiter can alter the asteroid's orbit, moving the asteroid out of these zones and creating gaps. This phenomenon is similar to how Saturn's moons create gaps in its rings through resonances. In the asteroid belt, these gaps are indicative of the powerful influence Jupiter has over the smaller bodies within its gravitational reach, shaping the structure of the belt.