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?
- Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
- Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
- Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
- Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Explanation
Statement I is correct
- Recent scientific studies, including those from ETH Zurich published in Nature Geoscience and PNAS, have confirmed that the Earth’s rotation and its axis are shifting. The studies show that these shifts are becoming more pronounced and are not just part of natural variations — human-induced climate change is playing a significant role.
Statement II is correct
- While solar flares and coronal mass ejections do impact the Earth’s outer atmosphere — affecting satellites, communication systems, and even power grids — these energy bursts do not contribute to shifts in Earth’s rotation or axis.
Statement III is correct and explains Statement I
- The ETH Zurich study clearly states that climate change is melting polar ice, and the resulting water redistributes toward the equator. This shift in mass alters Earth’s moment of inertia, much like how a spinning skater slows down when extending their arms. This change affects not only Earth’s rotation speed (leading to slightly longer days) but also causes the rotational axis to shift.
