What causes the Coriolis illusion, an intense sensation of tumbling?

The Coriolis illusion occurs when there is an extensive change in rotational head movements that do not match the expected sensations of motion in the body. This sensation of tumbling arises when a pilot or passenger experiences rapid head movement while in a turn, leading to confusion about the body’s orientation.

In a turn, the fluid in the inner ear helps to detect motion. However, if the head is tilted or turned significantly during a sustained turn, the inner ear can send conflicting signals to the brain, making the person feel as if they are tumbling or spinning. This mismatch between visual input and vestibular (balance) input creates the hallucination of movement, which is a core aspect of the Coriolis illusion.

The other options, while related to sensations of movement or disorientation, do not specifically lead to the intense tumbling sensation characteristic of the Coriolis illusion. For example, rapid acceleration during take-off can create a force that may feel unusual, but it does not primarily involve the rotational aspect that triggers the illusion. Similarly, rapid deceleration may cause other disorienting effects, but it does not involve the complex coordination of head and body movement. Lastly, prolonged turns in cloud could lead to other types of spatial disorientation,