Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams
Subject : Geography
1. Consider the following statements:
Statement I - The distribution of earthquakes provides
information about magma pathways and the structure of volcanoes.
Statement II - The world’s distribution of earthquakes coincides very
closely with that of volcanoes.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and
Statement –II is the correct explanation of Statement-I.
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the
correct explanation for Statement-I.
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (A)
Explanation: Some, but not all, earthquakes are related to volcanoes. For example, most earthquakes are along the edges of tectonic plates. This is where most volcanoes are too. However, most earthquakes are caused by the interaction of the plates not the movement of magma. Most earthquakes directly beneath a volcano are caused by the movement of magma. The magma exerts pressure on the rocks until it cracks the rock. Then the magma squirts into the crack and starts building pressure again. Every time the rock cracks it makes a small earthquake. These earthquakes are usually too weak to be felt but can be detected and recorded by sensitive instruments. Once the plumbing system of the volcano is open and magma is flowing through it, constant earthquake waves, called harmonic tremor, are recorded (but not felt). Hence, both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement –II is the correct explanation of Statement-I.
2. Why are the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal highly vulnerable to earthquakes?
1. The Indian plate is slowly moving towards the north and
north-eastern direction which is obstructed by the Eurasian plate.
2. Most of the active volcanoes in India lie in the Northern region of the
country which are frequently thrusted by magma and seismic movements.
Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The Indian plate is moving at a speed of one centimetre per year towards the north and northeastern direction and this movement of plates is being constantly obstructed by the Eurasian plate from the north. As a result of this, both the plates are said to be locked with each other resulting in accumulation of energy at different points of time. Excessive accumulation of energy results in building up of stress, which ultimately leads to the breaking up of the lock and the sudden release of energy causes earthquakes along the Himalayan arch. Some of the most vulnerable states are Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Sikkim, and the Darjeeling and subdivision of West Bengal and all the seven states of the northeast. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
India is not located in a region with active volcanoes. The country does not have any active volcanoes, and historically, there has been no record of volcanic eruptions in the Northern region, which includes the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Earthquakes in this region are primarily caused by tectonic activity related to the Indian plate's collision with the Eurasian plate. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
3. Main tributaries of Kaveri are:
1. Bhavani
2. Amravati
3. Brahmani
4. Baitarini
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1 and 4 only
Answer: (A)
Explanation: The Kaveri rises in the Brahmagiri range of the Western Ghats and it reaches the Bay of Bengal in south of Cuddalore, in Tamil Nadu. Total length of the river is about 760 km. Its main tributaries are Amravati, Bhavani, Hemavati and Kabini. Its basin drains parts of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The river Kaveri makes the second biggest waterfall in India. It is known as Sivasamudram. The Damoder, the Brahmani, the Baitarni and the Subarn rekha are major rivers flowing towards east, not tributaries. Hence, option (a) is correct.
4. Consider the following statements:
1. The soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks in areas of
low rainfall.
2. They are generally poor in nitrogen, phosphorous and humus.
3. They are fertile when fine-grained and are poor in fertility when they are
coarse-grained.
The above statements refer to:
(a) Black Soil
(b) Laterite soil
(c) Red and Yellow Soil
(d) None of the above
Answer: (C)
Explanation: Red soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks in areas of low rainfall in the eastern and southern part of the Deccan Plateau. Along the piedmont zone of the Western Ghat, long stretch of area is occupied by red loamy soil. Yellow and red soils are also found in parts of Odisha and Chhattisgarh and in the southern parts of the middle Ganga plain. The soil develops a reddish colour due to a wide diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form. The fine-grained red and yellow soils are normally fertile, whereas coarse-grained soils found in dry upland areas are poor in fertility. They are generally poor in nitrogen, phosphorous and humus. Hence, option (c) is correct.
5. Consider the following statements regarding Dew point:
1. Dew point is the temperature at which the atmosphere is
saturated with water vapour.
2. The dew point gives an indication of the humidity.
3. A higher dew point means there will be less moisture in the air.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (B)
Explanation: Dew point is the temperature at which the atmosphere is saturated with water vapour, when it is cooled without changing its pressure or vapour content. A given volume of air containing much water vapour has a higher dew point than the same volume of drier air; thus the dew point gives an indication of the humidity. In meteorology the dew point is applied, for example, in predicting the height of the base of certain types of clouds. A higher dew point means there will be more moisture in the air. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
