The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Lithosphere refers to the solid outer section of the Earth. In physical geography, specific baselines are established to measure altitude and depth, relying on the properties of global water bodies.- Statement 1 is correct: The solid portion of the Earth is called the Lithosphere. It comprises the rocks of the Earth’s crust and the thin layers of soil that contain nutrient elements essential for sustaining organisms.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: The elevation of land is measured from the level of the sea, which is taken as zero. It is not measured from the ocean floor, as the topography of the ocean floor varies drastically (e.g., ridges, trenches, and plains).
- Statement 3 is correct: Since all the oceans of the world are connected, the level of seawater remains virtually the same everywhere due to gravity and the fluid nature of water. This uniform level, known as Mean Sea Level (MSL), serves as the datum for measuring elevation.
Key Takeaway: Altitudes on land are measured relative to Mean Sea Level (MSL) because the sea surface provides a consistent global baseline, unlike the uneven ocean floor.