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?
Statement I: Scientific studies suggest that a shift is taking place in the Earth’s rotation and axis. This is true. Changes in Earth’s rotation speed and slight shifts in its axis have been observed, often linked to changes in mass distribution on Earth. Statement II: Solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections bombarded the Earth’s outermost atmosphere with tremendous amount of energy. This is true. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) impact the Earth’s magnetosphere and outer atmosphere, causing geomagnetic storms. However, these events do not cause significant changes in Earth’s rotation or axis. Their influence is mostly on electromagnetic and ionospheric disturbances, not the planet’s physical rotation. Statement III: As the Earth’s polar ice melts, the water tends to move towards the equator. This is true. Melting polar ice redistributes mass from poles to lower latitudes (towards the equator). This redistribution of mass changes Earth’s moment of inertia and can cause shifts in Earth’s rotation speed and axis position, thus explaining Statement I. Conclusion: Statements II and III are correct, but only Statement III explains Statement I (the shift in Earth’s rotation and axis). Statement II is correct but unrelated to the cause of changes in Earth’s rotation/axis. Final answer: (b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I