The equator tends to contain regions with hot climates. however, the rwenzori mountains, which are located close to the equator, are covered in ice caps. why is the climate of the rwenzori mountains not hot

Because of its altitude.

Explanation: The Rwenzori Mountains is a mountain range between Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. It reaches heights up to 5,109 meters (16,762 ft) and, along with Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro, are Africa's only permanently snow-capped mountains on the equator.

The temperature decreases with the altitude. That happens because the Sun doesn't heat the air as it does with the Earth. The heat that is transferred to the atmosphere is absorbed by the Earth surface first. Since air doesn't conduct heat very well, the higher is the altitude the colder it is.

Another important point about the Rwenzori Mountains is that because of its altitude there are fewer temperature variations, which enables the preservation of ice caps the whole year around. In the mountains, the temperature variation tends to happen less frequently than in lower altitudes. Since the air in higher levels receives less heat during the day, it doesn't cool a lot during the night, preserving the temperature almost the same all the time.

The Rwenzori Mountains is known not only for its altitude, but also for its rare biodiversity. In the same place, you can find a variety of climates and fauna and flora species. Depending on the altitude, you can find yourself in a tropical rainforest, alpine meadow, bamboo forest, snowy peaks, and Afro-alpine moorland. That's why there's a great concern about the preservation of this mountain range. The climate changes that have been affecting the whole globe are already affecting this peculiar place.

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