Outline two benefits of tides to the inhabitants of the coastal regions in South Africa

Question

How does solar insolation reaches the Earth at different angles on different latitude and explana the reason for the phenomenon

Answer 1

Benefits of tides to the inhabitants of coastal regions in South Africa:

1. Tourism and recreational activities: Tides attract tourists and visitors to coastal regions in South Africa. These visitors engage in activities such as swimming, surfing, fishing, and beachcombing. The presence of tides enhances the scenic beauty and natural attraction of the coastal areas, promoting tourism and boosting the economy.

2. Nutrient-rich ecosystems: Tides are crucial for coastal ecosystems as they bring in nutrient-rich waters from the ocean. As the tides ebb and flow, they carry essential nutrients for marine plants and animals along the coast. This flow of nutrients supports a diverse range of marine life, including fish, shellfish, and seaweed, which are vital for the livelihoods of coastal inhabitants engaged in fishing and aquaculture.

Solar insolation and its angles on different latitudes:

- Solar insolation refers to the amount of solar radiation (sunlight) received per unit area on the Earth's surface. The angle at which sunlight reaches the Earth differs based on the latitude, resulting in varying intensities of solar insolation.

- At the equator (0° latitude), sunlight reaches the Earth more directly and perpendicularly. This results in higher solar insolation as the sunlight covers a smaller area, increasing its intensity. The equator receives the highest solar insolation throughout the year, contributing to the warm climate in tropical regions.

- At higher latitudes (such as towards the poles), sunlight reaches the Earth at an oblique angle. This means that the same amount of sunlight is spread over a larger area, resulting in lower solar insolation and less intense heat. These areas generally have colder climates due to the lower intensity of solar energy received.

The reason for this phenomenon is the curvature of the Earth. Since the Earth is a sphere, sunlight has to travel through a greater thickness of the atmosphere to reach higher latitudes. As a result, the sunlight is scattered, absorbed, and reflects off particles in the atmosphere, reducing its intensity by the time it reaches higher latitudes. This causes the angle of solar insolation to decrease as latitude increases.