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If the air-pressure differences decrease between the counterclockwise wind circulation centered over Iceland and a high-pressure clockwise circulation residing near the Azores, then ______ westerlies drive _____ warm water into the Norwegian Current and ______ heat is delivered to Europe.

User Mike Lue
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Final answer:

Weaker westerlies would drive less warm water into the Norwegian Current and less heat would be delivered to Europe if air-pressure differences decrease between the wind circulation patterns over Iceland and near the Azores.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the air-pressure differences decrease between the counterclockwise wind circulation centered over Iceland and a high-pressure clockwise circulation residing near the Azores, then weaker westerlies drive less warm water into the Norwegian Current and less heat is delivered to Europe. This relationship is influenced by the Coriolis force, which affects the direction of wind and water currents across the Earth. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis force causes wind and weather systems to rotate counterclockwise around low-pressure areas, such as those over Iceland, and clockwise around high-pressure areas, like those near the Azores. Therefore, when there is a strong pressure difference, stronger westerly winds are produced leading to a more robust Norwegian Current, which carries warm water and heat to Europe, contributing to milder climate conditions. Conversely, a decrease in pressure difference results in weaker winds and currents, reducing the flow of warm water and heat transfer to the continent.

User Scott Jacobsen
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