Southwest Monsoon in India

* Statement I: This statement is true. Rainfall is one of the reasons for the weathering of rocks.  Rainwater can cause both physical and chemical weathering. Physical weathering occurs due to the impact of raindrops, especially during heavy downpours. Chemical weathering happens when rainwater reacts with minerals in rocks, leading to their breakdown. * Statement-II: This statement is true. Rainwater contains carbon dioxide in solution. Rainwater absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, forming weak carbonic acid (H2CO3). This slightly acidic nature of rainwater contributes to chemical weathering. * Statement-III: This statement is true. Rainwater contains atmospheric oxygen. Rainwater dissolves atmospheric gases, including oxygen. The dissolved oxygen in rainwater plays a role in the oxidation of certain minerals in rocks, which is a form of chemical weathering. Therefore, both Statement II and Statement III are correct, and both explain Statement I. Rainwater's acidity (due to dissolved carbon dioxide) and dissolved oxygen content contribute to the chemical weathering of rocks.

Statement-I is incorrect: The temperature contrast between land and ocean is actually greater in winter, not in summer. In winter, land loses heat quickly and becomes much colder, while the ocean retains heat and stays relatively warm → large contrast.
In summer, both land and ocean warm up, but the difference is less pronounced compared to winter → smaller contrast. Statement-II is correct: Water has a higher specific heat capacity than land. It heats up and cools down more slowly, which explains why oceans have a moderating influence on temperature.

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.

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.

* Statement 1: Correct. The Red Sea is located in a desert region with very high temperatures and low humidity. This leads to very little rainfall or any form of precipitation. * Statement 2: Correct. Due to its location, no major rivers are flowing into the Red Sea. The water in the Red Sea comes primarily from the inflow of saltier water from the Gulf of Aden through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Hence, both statements (1 and 2) are correct.