Question

Droughts, periods of time with below average rainfall, result from a lack of precipitation. Imagine an area along the coast that normally receives rain clouds that develop over the ocean and move in toward land. If this coastal area is currently experiencing a drought, how would a decrease in evaporation from the ocean affect the drought?

Answer 1

C. Evaporation is not an essential part of the water cycle and would not affect a drought.

Step-by-step explanation:

A decrease in evaporation from the ocean would likely have little effect on the drought in this coastal area. Droughts are typically caused by a lack of precipitation, not evaporation. Evaporation from the ocean primarily affects humidity and temperatures, not the amount of rainfall. The rain clouds that develop over the ocean and move in toward land are driven by a variety of meteorological factors, such as wind patterns and temperature gradients, rather than evaporation. So, a decrease in evaporation would not likely change the wind patterns or temperature gradients that are responsible for bringing the rain clouds inland.

Answer 2

The drought would become even worse.

Step-by-step explanation:

A lack of precipitation along the coast of a city in the midst of a drought would make the drought worsen because there would be no water to help stop it. Evaporation leads to the formation of rain clouds that would result in rain. With no evaporation within a drought stricken region, there would then be no rainfall and thus, the drought would continue to get worse.