Geography Set 7
π
π Geological Structure β’ Archaean Rock
Q.1) Which district in West Bengal is noted as the location where the Archaean rock formation known as Bengal Gneiss was identified for the first time?
Ans > Midnapur
- Discovery and Classification: Bengal Gneiss is recognized as one of the oldest and most fundamental Archaean rock formations found within the geological architecture of the Indian subcontinent. It was scientifically identified in the Midnapur district of West Bengal.
- Lithological Characteristics: Formed over billions of years under extreme crustal heat and pressure, it typically exhibits a strongly foliated texture with alternating bands of light quartzofeldspathic minerals and dark mafic minerals.
- Broader Geological Context: Equivalent Archaean gneissic formations extend across the Eastern Ghats, the Chota Nagpur Plateau, parts of Odisha, and various cratonic nuclei of Peninsular India.
π Geological Structure β’ Archaean Rock
Q.2) The Bundelkhand Gneiss, forming the second group of fundamental gneiss of the Archaean age, is a coarse-grained rock that looks like granite. It is conspicuously criss-crossed by veins of which mineral?
Ans > Quartz
- Geological Age and Structure: Bundelkhand Gneiss represents a massive, ancient basement complex belonging to the Archaean eon. Lithologically, it is predominantly a coarse-grained metamorphic rock resembling pink granite.
- Presence of Quartz Veins: A defining structural feature is the extensive network of conspicuous quartz veins that criss-cross the rock mass, representing late-stage hydrothermal injections.
- Regional Prominence: This formation occupies a vast expanse in the central part of India, notably across the Bundelkhand region spanning southern Uttar Pradesh and northern Madhya Pradesh.
π Geological Structure β’ Dharwar System
Q.3) The Iron-Ore Series of the Dharwar System stretches about 65 kilometres in length and contains reserves of about three thousand million tons of iron ore. It occurs prominently in Singhbhum, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and which other area?
Ans > Bonai
- Stratigraphic Significance: Forms a vital economic component of the Precambrian Dharwar system, hosting rich, large concentrations of high-grade hematite iron ore deposits.
- Geographic Distribution: Distributed across a highly mineralized belt that includes the Singhbhum craton in Jharkhand, along with Bonai, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar in Odisha.
- Economic Impact: These formations serve as the fundamental raw material backbone for India’s heavy metallurgical and steel manufacturing industries like Jamshedpur and Rourkela.
π Geological Structure β’ Gondwana System
Q.4) Which of the following series forms the youngest part of the Lower Gondwana System and derives its name from a hill south of Raniganj?
Ans > Panchet Series
- Stratigraphic Position: Represents the uppermost and youngest stratigraphic sedimentary unit within the Lower Gondwana System, marking a critical transitional phase (late Permian to early Triassic).
- Etymology and Type Locality: Derives its name from Panchet Hill, a topographical feature located immediately south of the Raniganj coalfield in West Bengal.
- Lithological Composition: Unlike the older Damuda series, it is devoid of workable coal seams, primarily composed of greenish-grey micaceous sandstones, red shales, and clay layers.
π Geological Structure β’ Deccan Trap
Q.5) The Deccan Trap, formed by immense outpouring of basaltic lava during the Cretaceous period, covers an extensive area of about how many lakh square kilometres in India?
Ans > Five
- Volcanic Origin: A massive Large Igneous Province formed by voluminous, fissure-type basaltic volcanic eruptions toward the end of the Cretaceous period (about 66 million years ago).
- Areal Extent: Despite millions of years of extensive erosion and intense weathering, the Deccan Traps still cover an impressive estimated area of about five lakh (500,000) square kilometers.
- Regional Spread and Soil Formation: Spans Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP, and surrounding regions. Prolonged sub-aerial weathering has given rise to the highly fertile Regur (black cotton soil).
π Physiography β’ Aravalli Range
Q.6) What is the exact elevation of Guru Sikhar, the highest peak of the Aravalli range?
Ans > 1722 m
- Geographic Significance: Guru Sikhar stands as the highest point of the Aravalli Range, one of the oldest relic fold mountain systems in the world, located in Sirohi district of Rajasthan.
- Elevation Details: Stands at exactly 1,722 meters (approx 5,650 feet). Intense environmental weathering has heavily eroded the once-mighty Aravallis.
- Surrounding Relief: Situated near the hill station of Mount Abu, separated by the Goranghat Pass, and is home to the ancient Dattatreya temple.
π Physiography β’ Central Highlands
Q.7) The northern boundary of the Chhattisgarh Plain is formed by a series of hills and plateaus, specifically the Pendra Plateau and the:
Ans > Lormi Plateau
- Physiographic Setup: The Chhattisgarh Plain is a major saucer-shaped structural depression, often called the “Rice Bowl of India,” flanked by rugged highlands.
- Northern Border Configuration: Defined by an elevated series of broken hills and deeply dissected plateaus, prominently including the Lormi Plateau, Pendra Plateau, Chhuri, and Raigarh Hills.
- Drainage Divide: Acts as a geological water divide separating the eastward-flowing Mahanadi river basin from the northward-flowing Son and Ganga systems.
π Drainage β’ Waterfalls
Q.8) The Jog Falls, forming one of the highest waterfalls in India by plunging down 250 metres, is located on which westward-flowing river in the Western Ghats?
Ans > Sharavati
- River and Location: Spectacularly created by the Sharavati River in Karnataka’s Shimoga district before emptying into the Arabian Sea near Honnavar.
- Spectacular Drop: Plunges directly without touching underlying rocks from roughly 253 meters in four distinct streams (Raja, Rani, Roarer, and Rocket).
- Hydroelectric Importance: Heavily harnessed for power via the Linganamakki Dam and Mahatma Gandhi Hydroelectric Project.
π Physiography β’ Plate Tectonics
Q.9) The Plate Tectonics theory, which successfully explains the lateral compression and origin of the Himalayas, was put forward in 1967 by which scholar?
Ans > W.J. Morgan
- Formulation: The comprehensive mathematical, geometric, and geophysical framework of Modern Plate Tectonics was formally proposed by W.J. Morgan in 1967.
- Application to Himalayas: Provided the exact mechanical explanation for the formation of the Himalayas detailing the northward drift of the Indian plate and collision with the Eurasian Plate.
- Scientific Consensus: Explains the massive lateral crustal compression, folding, and why the Himalayas continue to be a tectonically active chain today.
π Physiography β’ Himalayas
Q.10) The eastern syntaxial bend of the Himalayas undergoes a sharp hair-pin bend from an easterly to a southerly trend just after crossing the Brahmaputra river near which prominent peak?
Ans > Namcha Barwa
- Concept of Syntaxial Bends: The Himalayan mountain chain is bounded by sudden structural hairpin bends (“syntaxial bends”) caused by massive crustal pivot pressures.
- Eastern Syntaxial Dynamics: Occurs precisely around the towering Namcha Barwa peak (7,782 m), where the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) carves one of the world’s deepest gorges.
- Course Reversal: The ranges and river shift abruptly from an east-west alignment to a sharply southward trend into Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
π Physiography β’ Mountain Passes
Q.11) The Burzail Pass, situated at an altitude of more than five thousand feet, connects Ladakh with China and which specific valley in Kashmir?
Ans > Kishan Ganga Valley
- Strategic Location: An ancient, historically significant mountain pass situated at a highly elevated altitude in the northern frontier region (Gilgit-Baltistan region).
- Connectivity Details: Acts as a vital structural bridge linking the high-altitude cold desert of Ladakh with Chinese-controlled territories and bridging Kashmir (Srinagar) with the sensitive Kishan Ganga Valley.
- Terrain: Completely snow-bound and closed to transit for over six months of the year due to extreme winter snow and avalanches.
π Physiography β’ Mountain Passes
Q.12) The Lipu Lakh pass, frequently used by pilgrims travelling to Mansarovar Lake, connects Tibet with which Indian district in Uttarakhand?
Ans > Pithoragarh District
- Geographic Location: Highly strategic Himalayan mountain pass situated at the sensitive tri-junction border between India, Nepal, and the Tibet Autonomous Region. Located entirely within Pithoragarh district.
- Pilgrimage and Trade: Traditional land route utilized by pilgrims undertaking the yatra to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, also serving as an official border trading post.
- Infrastructure: Increased geopolitical importance led the BRO to construct improved, all-weather motorable roads up to the pass.
π Physiography β’ Mountain Passes
Q.13) Which mountain pass in Arunachal Pradesh provides an easy and the shortest access to Mandalay in Myanmar, remaining open for trade throughout the year?
Ans > Diphu Pass
- Location: Strategically vital mountain pass located in the far eastern sector of Arunachal Pradesh on the disputed McMahon Line.
- Trade and Accessibility: Sits at a relatively lower elevation, remaining open year-round to provide the absolute shortest and easiest overland route connecting northeast India directly to Mandalay in Myanmar.
- Strategic Role: Considered a crucial gateway for India’s modern “Act East” policy aimed at enhancing bilateral connectivity and commerce.
π Physiography β’ Glaciers
Q.14) Approximately how many individual glaciers are estimated to be present in the Himalayas, scattered between the two syntaxial bends?
Ans > 15,000
- Glacial Extent: The Himalayas (“Third Pole”) contain the largest volume of terrestrial ice outside the polar regions spanning its 2,400 km arc.
- Scientific Estimates: Glaciological surveys estimate around 15,000 individual glaciers distributed across the region, ranging from small cirques to massive valley glaciers.
- Hydrological Importance: Act as gigantic perennial freshwater reservoirs feeding major trans-boundary rivers (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra).
π Physiography β’ Glaciers
Q.15) The largest glacier in the Nun-Kun peak area, measuring about 13 km in length, is known as the:
Ans > Gangri Glacier
- Nun-Kun Massif: A heavily glaciated twin-peak mountain system located in the rugged Zanskar range of Ladakh.
- The Gangri Glacier: The absolute largest glacier in this massif, stretching approximately 13 kilometers in length descending from steep alpine valleys.
- Regional Glaciology: The meltwater feeds essential local streams that eventually join the Suru River, a vital tributary of the Indus system.
π Physiography β’ Great Plains
Q.16) Regarding the origin of the Great Plains of India, the theory that they are the result of the infilling of a ‘Rift Valley’ formed between parallel faults was proposed by:
Ans > Sir S. Burrard
- Theories of Formation: The genesis of the Indo-Gangetic Plains has seen various hypotheses, from Suess’s foredeep depression to complex flexure models.
- Burrard’s Hypothesis: Sir Sidney Burrard hypothesized that the plains occupy a deep trough or true tectonic “rift valley” confined between two parallel, deep-seated fault lines.
- Subsequent Revisions: Though modern models view it more as a “foreland basin,” Burrard’s influential theory prompted early deep drilling and gravity anomaly surveys.
π Physiography β’ Great Plains
Q.17) The maximum depth of the alluvium in the Great Plains, reaching over 8,000 metres, has been observed near Ambala, Yamunanagar, and which other location in Haryana?
Ans > Jagadhri
- Thickness of Deposits: The plains hold incredibly thick alluvium washed down from the Himalayas over millions of years, crucial for agriculture.
- Maximum Depth Anomalies: Geophysical surveys reveal the sediment cover is exceptionally thick in certain structural depressions, reaching extreme depths exceeding 8,000 meters.
- Specific Localities: Recorded in the northern Haryana shelf area specifically encompassing Ambala, Yamunanagar, and Jagadhri.
π Physiography β’ Geomorphology
Q.18) The Bhabar tract is a highly porous geomorphic feature located south of the Shiwaliks. It is predominantly composed of which of the following materials?
Ans > Gravel and unassorted sediments
- Physiographic Position: A distinct narrow belt running parallel to the southern foothills of the Shiwalik range.
- Composition: Created by rapid Himalayan rivers abruptly losing carrying capacity, dropping massive alluvial fans composed of coarse gravel, pebbles, large boulders, and unassorted sediments.
- Hydrological Behavior: Highly porous nature causes small mountain streams to literally disappear underground, resurfacing later in the Terai belt.
π Drainage β’ Lakes
Q.19) In which Indian state is the Sasthamkotta Lake, a large freshwater lake and major tourist attraction, located?
Ans > Kerala
- Geographic Identification: Located near Sasthamkotta in Kollam district, holding the unique distinction of being the largest natural freshwater lake in Kerala.
- Ecological Significance: A designated Ramsar Wetland site. Its waters are remarkably pure, attributed to the presence of Chaoborus larvae that consume bacteria.
- Tourism and Legend: A premier eco-tourism destination, deriving its name from the ancient Sastha temple on its banks.
π Drainage β’ River Basins
Q.20) According to river basin area statistics, the Ganga river basin represents the largest drainage area in India. What is the exact percentage of India’s total basin area that it covers?
Ans > 25.2%
- Dominance: The Ganga river system is the most extensive and socio-economically vital basin in India, spanning 11 states.
- Statistical Proportion: Covers a massive geographical area of approximately 861,404 square kilometers.
- Percentage Share: Calculated against India’s total area (~3.28 million sq km), it accounts for exactly 25.2% of the country’s total landmass.
π Drainage β’ Peninsular Rivers
Q.21) The river Subarnarekha, with a basin area of 28,000 sq km and a length of 400 km, passes through which major industrial city before flowing to the Bay of Bengal?
Ans > Jamshedpur
- Origin and Course: Translating to “Streak of Gold,” it originates on the Chota Nagpur Plateau southwest of Ranchi and flows easterly.
- Industrial Passage: Flows directly through the heart of Jamshedpur (Tatanagar), heavily utilized for cooling massive steel and heavy manufacturing operations.
- Outflow: Discharges into the Bay of Bengal near Balasore. Unfortunately susceptible to severe industrial pollution.
π Drainage β’ Peninsular Rivers
Q.22) The Brahmani river is a major easterly flowing peninsular river that merges into the Bay of Bengal. It is formed by the confluence of the Sankh river and which other river near Rourkela?
Ans > South Koel
- Formation: The second largest river system in Odisha. Formed dynamically by the powerful union of two principal plateau headstreams.
- Confluence Point: Begins at the sacred confluence of the South Koel River and the Sankh River at Vedvyas, on the outskirts of Rourkela.
- Lower Course: Flows southeastwards, eventually joining forces with the Baitarani river to form a complex estuarine delta before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
π Drainage β’ Lakes
Q.23) Which oval-shaped glaciated tarn lake in Sikkim remains frozen during the winter season and is considered a sacred lake by both Buddhists and Hindus?
Ans > Tsongmo Lake
- Formation: Tsongmo Lake (Changu Lake) is a spectacularly naturally formed glaciated tarn lake in East Sikkim at an elevation of approx 3,780 meters.
- Seasonal Dynamics: Remains completely frozen solid through the winter months. Spring melt brings vibrant blooms of alpine flowers like rhododendrons.
- Cultural Sanctity: Highly revered by local Buddhists and Hindus; folklore states monks could forecast the future by observing its changing colors.
π Climate β’ Monsoon
Q.24) The classical “Thermal Concept” explaining the origin of the Indian monsoon as a system of large-scale sea and land breezes was proposed by which scientist?
Ans > Halley
- Historical Context: Early scientists relied entirely on classical, macroscopic thermal explanations to decode massive weather systems before modern upper-air data.
- Edmond Halley: In 1686, the English geophysicist proposed the “Thermal Concept,” mathematically treating the monsoon as a continent-scale version of local coastal breezes.
- Core Principle: Extreme differential heating between the vast Asian landmass and the Indian Ocean creates monumental pressure differences that drive seasonal wind reversals.
π Climate β’ Classifications
Q.25) In 1971, Professor R.L. Singh modified the existing climatic divisions of Stamp and Kendrew. Based on variations in temperature and rainfall, into how many major climatic divisions did he divide India?
Ans > 10
- Evolution: Early Western models (Stamp, Kendrew, KΓΆppen) often failed to capture the deep topographical nuances and intense monsoon variations of India.
- R.L. Singh’s Modification: Proposed a highly revised regional classification system explicitly tailored for India’s extreme physiographic diversity.
- Division Structure: Divided India into exactly 10 distinct major climatic sub-divisions based on temperature, rainfall, and topographical modifiers.
π Vegetation β’ Forests
Q.26) According to the spatial distribution of forests in India, Tropical Thorny Forests are typical of degraded regions where the average annual rainfall varies between:
Ans > 75 and 100 cm
- Ecological Definition: Highly specialized xerophytic vegetation adapted to long dry spells, appearing in semi-arid and drier transitional zones.
- Rainfall Parameters: Categorized often as environmentally degraded variants of deciduous ecosystems, typically dominating where rainfall fluctuates unpredictably between 75 and 100 cm.
- Flora Adaptation: Characterized by stunted trees, thorny acacias (Babul), deep taproots, and waxy leaves to aggressively minimize transpiration loss.
π Vegetation β’ Forests
Q.27) Which prominent species of the Tropical Moist Deciduous forests is scientifically known as Shorea robusta?
Ans > Sal
- Moist Deciduous Ecosystems: The most widespread and commercially significant forest type in India (100-200 cm rainfall).
- Botanical Identity: Shorea robusta is commonly known as the Sal tree, a premier, highly valued timber-yielding hardwood native to the subcontinent.
- Economic Value: Grows gregariously to form dense pure stands; highly valued for incredibly hard, insect-resistant timber historically essential for railway sleepers.
π Vegetation β’ Flora
Q.28) Blue-Pine (Pinus Excelsa), known for yielding useful resins and turpentine, predominantly grows at elevations between:
Ans > 1800 m and 3600 m
- Himalayan Zonation: Mountain vegetation exhibits highly distinct vertical altitudinal zonation governed by temperature lapse rates and moisture.
- Distribution: The Blue-Pine grows extensively along the entire sweeping length of the Himalayas.
- Elevation and Utility: Thrives predominantly at high-altitude cool temperate elevations between 1,800 meters and 3,600 meters, yielding high-quality commercial resins.
π Drainage β’ Waterfalls
Q.29) The Vattaparai Waterfall, which is a great attraction for domestic and international tourists, is located on the Pazhayar River in which district of Tamil Nadu?
Ans > Kanyakumari
- Geographic Setting: Situated deep amidst the dense forest reserves of the Western Ghats in the southernmost peninsular district of Kanyakumari.
- River Association: Formed dynamically along the active perennial course of the Pazhayar River as it forcefully carves down through steep rocky terrain.
- Tourism: Surrounded by the pristine Keeriparai reserve forest, celebrated for rich biodiversity and medicinal plants.
π Hydrology β’ Water Management
Q.30) According to government strategies for water management, 25 per cent out of 20 per cent of the allocation under which rural program has been earmarked exclusively for water harvesting schemes?
Ans > ARWSP (Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme)
- Focus on Sustainability: Ensuring long-term sustainability of rural drinking water sources against depleting groundwater tables requires mandatory artificial recharge funding.
- ARWSP Mandate: A massive central scheme designed to assist states in providing safe drinking water via highly rigid funding percentages.
- Earmarking: Strict directives earmarked exactly 25 percent out of a 20 percent structural allocation block exclusively for decentralized rainwater harvesting and aquifer recharge.
π Quick Summary β Geography Set 7
- Bengal Gneiss: First identified structurally in the Midnapur district of West Bengal.
- Bundelkhand Gneiss: Ancient Archaean rock conspicuously criss-crossed by resistant Quartz veins.
- Iron-Ore Series (Dharwar): Prominently distributed across Singhbhum, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Bonai.
- Panchet Series: The youngest stratigraphic part of the Lower Gondwana System.
- Deccan Trap: Massive basaltic plateau covering approx. 5 lakh square kilometers in India.
- Guru Sikhar: Highest peak of the ancient Aravalli range standing exactly at 1722 m.
- Chhattisgarh Plain: The northern physiographic boundary is formed prominently by the Lormi Plateau.
- Jog Falls: A 250-meter plunge waterfall formed by the westward-flowing Sharavati River.
- Plate Tectonics (1967): W.J. Morgan mathematically explained the Himalayan origin.
- Himalayan Syntaxial Bend: The sharp eastern hair-pin bend occurs near the Namcha Barwa peak.
- Burzail Pass: A high-altitude, strategic link between Ladakh and the Kishan Ganga Valley.
- Lipu Lakh Pass: Traditional Mansarovar pilgrimage route located in the Pithoragarh District.
- Diphu Pass: Located in Arunachal, it provides the shortest, year-round access to Mandalay, Myanmar.
- Himalayan Glaciers: It is estimated there are approximately 15,000 distinct glaciers across the range.
- Nun-Kun Massif: The massive 13-km long Gangri Glacier is its largest ice formation.
- Great Plains Origin: Sir S. Burrard theorized they were formed by an infilling of a ‘Rift Valley’.
- Alluvial Depth: The deepest alluvium (>8,000 m) in the Great Plains is near Jagadhri, Haryana.
- Bhabar Tract: A porous geomorphic zone composed mainly of coarse gravel and unassorted sediments.
- Sasthamkotta Lake: The largest natural freshwater lake in the state of Kerala.
- Ganga Basin: India’s largest single river basin, covering exactly 25.2% of the country’s total area.
- Subarnarekha River: Essential peninsular river that famously flows through the industrial hub Jamshedpur.
- Brahmani River: Formed by the exact confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers near Rourkela.
- Tsongmo Lake: Oval-shaped, sacred glaciated tarn lake in Sikkim that freezes solid in winter.
- Monsoon Thermal Concept: First proposed by Edmond Halley in 1686 as a massive land/sea breeze system.
- Climatic Divisions (1971): Professor R.L. Singh divided India into 10 major tailored climatic zones.
- Thorny Forests: Specialized xerophytic vegetation found where annual rainfall is between 75 and 100 cm.
- Shorea robusta: Scientifically identifies the highly valuable hardwood Sal tree of Moist Deciduous forests.
- Blue-Pine: Resin-yielding Himalayan conifer thriving primarily between 1800 m and 3600 m.
- Vattaparai Waterfall: Picturesque cascade on the Pazhayar River in the Kanyakumari district.
- ARWSP Mandate: Earmarked specific block percentages exclusively for decentralized water harvesting schemes.
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