Consider the following statements:The Red Sea receives very little precipitation in any form.No wate

Question

Consider the following statements:The Red Sea receives very little precipitation in any form.No water enters the Red Sea from rivers.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

The Red Sea region receives very little precipitation in any form, although prehistoric artifacts indicate that there were periods with greater amounts of rainfall. In general, the climate is conducive to outdoor activity in fall, winter, and spring—except during windstorms—with temperatures varying between 8 and 28 °C. Summer temperatures, however, are much higher, up to 40 °C, and relative humidity is high, rendering vigorous activity unpleasant.In the northern part of the Red Sea area, extending down to 19° N, the prevailing winds are north to northwest. Hence, statement 1 is correct.Generally speaking, the average salinity of the oceans is 35.2 ppt, about 35 parts of salt in 1000 parts of water. In the Red Sea, where there is much surface evaporation and fewer rivers to bring in fresh water, the average salinity increases to 39 ppt.While there are no significant rivers that drain into the Red Sea, there are small rivulets that flow into the Red Sea, and it may not be entirely correct to say that no water enters the Red Sea from rivers. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.