Which among the following statements about the North Atlantic Drift is/are correct? I. it keeps the west coast of Northern Europe ice free II. It is responsible for th e warm air mass which interacts with the cold air mass from the Polar region and causes rainfall in Western Europe III. It meets the Labrador current near Vancouver Island and causes dense fog Select the correct answer using the code given below

The North Atlantic Drift, an extension of the warm Gulf Stream, significantly influences European climate. Statement I is correct as it transports warm water to the high latitudes of the North Atlantic, keeping the ports of Western and Northern Europe ice-free throughout the year [3]. Statement II is correct because the warm current heats the overlying air, creating a warm maritime air mass; when this interacts with cold polar air masses, it leads to cyclonic activity and precipitation across Western Europe [1]. Statement III is incorrect because the cold Labrador Current meets the warm Gulf Stream/North Atlantic Drift near Newfoundland (Grand Banks) off the east coast of North America, not Vancouver Island, which is located in the Pacific Ocean [4]. The convergence of these currents near Newfoundland is famous for producing dense fog and rich fishing grounds [2].

Sources

1. [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 32: Ocean Movements Ocean Currents And Tides > Grand Banks – The Richest Fishing Grounds on Earth > p. 492
2. [1] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 14: Climate > FACTORS INFLUENCTNG TEMPERATURE > p. 134
3. [2] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: The Oceans > The Circulation of the Atlantic Ocean > p. 110
4. [4] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > The North American Region > p. 462