El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The IOD phenomenon is characterised by a difference in sea surface temperature between the tropical Western Indian Ocean and the tropical Eastern Indian Ocean, not the Eastern Pacific Ocean. During a positive IOD, the western Indian Ocean is warmer than the eastern Indian Ocean, and vice versa for a negative IOD. Statement 2 is Correct: The IOD phenomenon can indeed influence El Nio's impact on the Indian monsoon. El Nio itself is a climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean, but it can interact with the IOD. Depending on the phases of both phenomena (positive/negative IOD and El Nino/La Nina), the overall impact on the Indian monsoon rainfall can be amplified or weakened. Hence, option B is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is incorrect. OMT is measured up to the depth of the 26°C isotherm, but the 129-meter depth mentioned in the southwestern Indian Ocean during January-March is incorrect. The depth of the 26°C isotherm can vary depending on the region and season. Statement 2 is correct. OMT collected during January-March helps in predicting the amount of rainfall during the monsoon. It is used to assess whether rainfall will be more or less than the long-term average, as variations in OMT influence monsoon behaviour. Hence, option B is the correct answer.

Understanding Isotherms and Their Behavior * Isotherms are lines on a map connecting points with the same temperature.  * January is a winter month in the Northern Hemisphere. * Land and Water Heating Differences: Land heats up and cools down faster than water. This leads to significant temperature differences between continents and oceans in winter. Statement 1: Correct * In January, continents are colder than oceans in the Northern Hemisphere.  * Isotherms bend northward over oceans, indicating warmer temperatures.  * Isotherms bend southward over continents, indicating colder temperatures. Statement 2: Incorrect * The Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift are warm ocean currents, not cold.  * These currents bring warm water from the tropics towards Europe, making the North Atlantic relatively warmer in winter.  * Isotherms bend northward over the North Atlantic due to these warm currents. Conclusion: Only statement 1 is a correct inference from isothermal maps in January.

Congo Basin Peatlands: The Congo Basin in Central Africa is home to the world's largest tropical peatland complex. This vast peatland stores an immense amount of carbon, estimated to be equivalent to about three years of global fossil fuel emissions.  Importance of Peatlands: Peatlands are a critical carbon sink. They store more carbon than all the world's forests combined. When peatlands are drained or degraded, this stored carbon is released into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. The Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Cong and Indonesia are parties to the Brazzaville Declaration, aimed at protecting the Cuvette Centrale region in the Congo Basin, the world’s largest tropical peatlands, from unregulated land use and preventing its drainage and degradation.  _Other Options:_  * Amazon Basin: While the Amazon is known for its vast rainforests, it is not the primary location of the world's largest tropical peatland. * Kikori Basin: The Kikori Basin is located in Papua New Guinea and contains significant peatlands, but not the largest tropical peatland complex. * Rio de la Plata Basin: This basin in South America is primarily known for its grasslands and is not associated with major peatland areas.

Earth’s rotation and axis can shift due to changes in how mass is distributed across the planet, such as melting polar ice. ✅Statement I is correct: * Studies show that Earth’s rotation and axis are shifting slightly due to internal mass redistribution. ✅ Statement II is correct: * But it doesn’t explain the shift — solar flares affect only the upper atmosphere, not Earth’s rotation. ✅ Statement III is correct: * It explains the shift — melting polar ice moves water toward the equator, altering Earth’s mass distribution and spin.