An increase in river flooding in the United States over the last two decades has been attributed to rising ocean temperatures by some scientists. These scientists hypothesize that increasing ocean temperatures leads to an increase in the amount of water that is evaporated into the air. This evaporated moisture eventually condenses into droplets of water, which are released during rainstorms. Most river flooding in the continental United States is caused by periods of heavy precipitation, or rainfall. Which finding, if true, would most directly support the researchers’ hypothesis?There is a correlative relationship between the number of rainstorms reported across the United States and ocean temperatures: when one increases so does the other.eliminateSince the year 2000, average ocean temperatures have increased by around 1.2° Fahrenheit.eliminateMost rivers won't flood unless there is sustained, heavy rainfall for lengths of time longer than two hours, or less heavy rainfall for lengths of time longer than five hours.eliminateThe causes of river flooding not connected to periods of heavy precipitation, for example, larger snow melts than expected, have also been on the rise in the past two decades.