With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct?
- OMT is measured up to a depth of 26°C isotherm which is 129 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during January - March.
- OMT collected during January - March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in monsoon will be less or more than a certain long-term mean.
Correct Answer: Option B
Ocean Heat Content (OHC) and Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT) are crucial climatic parameters for studies related to cyclones, monsoon predictions, and ocean heat transport.
Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is commonly used to predict whether monsoon rainfall will be above or below the long-term average of 887.5 mm.
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, have found that OMT is a better predictor of monsoon rainfall than SST. OMT has an 80% success rate compared to SST's 60%.
SST is limited to the top few millimeters of the ocean and is susceptible to winds, evaporation, and cloud cover. OMT, measured to the depth of the 26°C isotherm, is more stable. The 26°C isotherm varies between 50-100 meters.
During January-March, the average depth of the 26°C isotherm in the Southwestern Indian Ocean is 59 meters, not 129 meters.
Statement 1 is not correct. Statement 2 is correct. Hence, only statement 2 is correct.