Which of the following is/are correct inference/inferences from isothermal maps in the month of January? 1. The isotherms deviate to the north over the ocean and to the south over the continent. 2. The presence of cold ocean currents, Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift make the North Atlantic Ocean colder and the isotherms bend towards the north. Select the answer using the code given below:

Answer: A. Statement 1 only is correct. Statement 1 is CORRECT. In January (Northern Hemisphere winter), oceans retain heat longer than continents (water has higher specific heat). So isotherms BEND NORTH (poleward) over the relatively warm oceans and BEND SOUTH (equatorward) over the cold continents. Statement 2 is INCORRECT on two counts: (i) the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift are WARM ocean currents (not cold), and (ii) they make the North Atlantic WARMER, not colder. Their effect bends isotherms north over the Atlantic for the same reason as 1. Source: NCERT Class 11 Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Ch 9 (Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature).