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Temperature inversion

Temperature inversion: normal pattern and thermal inversion.

This diagram of a temperature inversion illustrates the way in which a layer of warm air traps a layer of cool air, and with it pollution, close to the ground. Without this inversion layer pollution would be able to rise into the atmosphere and disperse.

During a temperature inversion the cold layer closest to the ground is caused by cold dense air sinking down surrounding hills underneath the less dense warm air.

Rights: The University of Waikato
Published:18 June 2008Size: 85.8 KB