Q. Consider the following statements:

Statement I: Scientific studies suggest that a shift is taking place in the Earth's rotation and axis.
Statement II: Solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections bombarded the Earth's outermost atmosphere with tremendous amount of energy.
Statement III: As the Earth's polar ice melts, the water tends to move towards the equator.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
(c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

13. निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए:

कथन I:
वैज्ञानिक अध्ययन यह सुझाते हैं कि पृथ्वी के पूर्णन और अक्ष में परिवर्तन हो रहा है।

कथन II :
सौर संस्फुरों (फ्लेयर्स) और उससे संबद्ध किरीटी द्रव्यमान निष्कासनों ने पृथ्वी के सबसे बाहरी वायुमंडल पर विशाल ऊर्जा-राशि की बौछार कर दी है।

कथन III:
जैसे-जैसे पृथ्वी का ध्रुवीय हिम पिघलता है, जल की प्रवृत्ति विषुवत्-वृत्त की ओर जाने की होती है।

उपर्युक्त कथनों के बारे में, निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा एक सही है?

(a) कथन II और कथन III दोनों सही है तथा वे दोनों कथन I की व्याख्या करते हैं
(b) कथन II और कथन III दोनों सही है किन्तु उनमें से केवल एक, कथन I की व्याख्या करता है
(c) कथन II और कथन III में से केवल एक सही है तथा वह कथन I की व्याख्या करता है
(d) न तो कथन II और न ही कथन III सही है

Correct Answer: (b)

Explanation:

Statement I is correct:

Scientific studies suggest that a shift is taking place in the Earth's rotation and axis.

• Over recent decades, scientists have observed slight shifts in the Earth’s rotational axis and poles. This phenomenon is known as polar wander or true polar wander.
• These shifts are measured through satellite observations and are linked to changes in the distribution of mass on Earth.

Statement II is correct:

Solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections (CMEs) can bombard the Earth's outer atmosphere with tremendous amounts of energy.

• Solar flares and CMEs are intense bursts of energy from the Sun that can affect the Earth’s magnetosphere and upper atmosphere.
• These events may disrupt satellites, communication systems, GPS, and power grids, but they do not significantly influence the Earth's rotation or axis.

Statement III is correct:

As polar ice melts, water redistributes and tends to move toward the equator.

• Melting polar ice adds water to the oceans, causing a redistribution of Earth's mass.
• This redistribution affects the Earth’s moment of inertia, which can contribute to slight shifts in the Earth’s rotation and axis.
• Scientific studies have linked climate change and polar ice melting to measurable changes in Earth’s rotational behavior.

Relation between the Statements

• Statement I states that Earth's rotation and axis are shifting.
• Statement II is correct independently, but it does not explain Statement I because solar flares and CMEs do not significantly alter Earth's rotation or axis.
• Statement III is correct and directly explains Statement I, as melting polar ice redistributes mass and affects Earth’s rotational dynamics.
• Both Statement II and Statement III are correct, but only one of them explains Statement I.

Therefore, the correct answer is (b).

Source :

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/groundwater-extraction-shifted-earths-axis-study-8692912/

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/nasa-issues-emergency-alert-solar-storms-could-leave-parts-of-earth-in-the-dark/articleshow/121355457.cms

https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/melting-polar-ice-is-slowing-earth-s-rotation-lengthening-days-says-study-124071600652_1.html

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-funded-studies-explain-how-climate-is-changing-earths-rotation/