Atmospheric circulation is large-scale airflow movement in the atmosphere, including global circulation and regional circulation, horizontal and vertical airflows, and low-level and high-level airflows. The basic feature of atmospheric circulation is the horizontal movement of the atmosphere centred on the polar regions. In both the northern and southern hemispheres, there are three latitudinal wind zones in the lower and middle layers of the atmosphere, and the north-south movement of the high- and low-altitude atmospheres forms three vertical circulation cycles. Atmospheric circulation is an important factor for achieving heat balance, vapor transport, and energy exchange in the atmosphere.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this entry
Cite this entry
(2020). Atmospheric Circulation. In: Chen, A., Ng, Y., Zhang, E., Tian, M. (eds) Dictionary of Geotourism. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2538-0_99
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2538-0_99
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-2537-3
Online ISBN: 978-981-13-2538-0
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences