A materials-science student stores a polished sample of \(\text{C(s, diamond)}\) at \(298\ \text{K}\) and \(1\ \text{bar}\). After \(10\ \text{yr}\), Raman spectroscopy detects no \(\text{C(s, graphite)}\) above a \(0.1\%\) detection limit. Relevant data for the conversion are shown below.

\[ \text{C(s, diamond)} \rightarrow \text{C(s, graphite)} \]

Quantity at \(298\ \text{K}\)	Value
\(\Delta H^\circ\)	\(-1.9\ \text{kJ mol}^{-1}\)
\(\Delta S^\circ\)	\(+3.4\ \text{J mol}^{-1}\text{K}^{-1}\)
\(E_{a,\text{forward}}\)	\(700\ \text{kJ mol}^{-1}\)

Which statement best reconciles the spectroscopic observation with the thermodynamic and kinetic data?