Daily Static MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams - Geography (21 June 2023)

Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams

Subject : Geography

1. Consider the following statements:

1. The South-Western Peninsular Plateau have more diversified mineral deposits compared to the north-eastern Peninsular Plateau.
2. The minerals in the North-Western part of Peninsular Plateau are associated with Dharwar system of rocks.
3. Minerals like copper, lead, zinc, cobalt and tungsten are known to occur in the Himalayan region.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The North-Eastern Plateau Region: This belt covers Chhotanagpur (Jharkhand), Odisha Plateau, West Bengal and parts of Chhattisgarh. It has variety of minerals viz. iron ore, coal, manganese, bauxite, mica. The South-Western Plateau Region: This belt extends over Karnataka, Goa and contiguous Tamil Nadu uplands and Kerala. This belt is rich in ferrous metals and bauxite. It also contains high grade iron ore, manganese and limestone. This belt packs in coal deposits except Neyveli lignite. This belt does not have as diversified mineral deposits as the north-eastern belt. Kerala has deposits of monazite and thorium. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • The North-Western Region: This belt extends along Aravali in Rajasthan and part of Gujarat and minerals are associated with Dharwar system of rocks. Copper, zinc have been major minerals. Rajasthan is rich in building stones i.e. sandstone, granite, marble. Gypsum and Fuller’s earth deposits are also extensive. Dolomite and limestone provide raw materials for cement industry. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • The Himalayan belt is another mineral belt where copper, lead, zinc, cobalt and tungsten are known to occur. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

2. Which of the following best describes the ‘Marine upwelling’?

(a) Periodic rise and fall of the ocean due to gravitational attraction of the moon.
(b) Rise in the sea level due to the global warming.
(c) Rise of deep cold water towards the surface of the ocean.
(d) Storm surges hitting the coast due to cyclonic activity.

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Winds blowing across the ocean surface push water away. Water then rises up from beneath the surface to replace the water that was pushed away. This process is known as “upwelling.” Upwelling occurs in the open ocean and along coastlines. The reverse process, called “downwelling,” also occurs when wind causes surface water to build up along a coastline and the surface water eventually sinks toward the bottom. Water that rises to the surface as a result of upwelling is typically colder and is rich in nutrients. These nutrients “fertilize” surface waters, meaning that these surface waters often have high biological productivity. Therefore, good fishing grounds typically are found where upwelling is common. Hence, option (c) is correct.

3. Siachen Glacier, one of the world’s longest mountain glaciers, is part of:

(a) The Zaskar
(b) Shivalik
(c) Karakoram Range
(d) Ladakh

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Siachen Glacier, is one of the world’s longest mountain glaciers, lying in the Karakoram Range system. It has a number of fast-flowing surface streams and at least 12 medial moraines. It is the source for the 50-mi-long Nubra River, a tributary of the Shyok, which is part of the Indus River system. Hence, option (c) is correct.

4. The ocean has several micronutrients like nitrates, sulphates and silicates, minerals like iron ore and zinc, and trace metals like cadmium or copper. Trace metals are supplied to oceans via which of the following?

1. Continental run-offs
2. Atmospheric deposition
3. Hydrothermal activities
4. Continental shelf interaction

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) All of the above

Answer: (D)

Explanation: Trace metals like cadmium or copper are supplied to oceans via continental run-offs, atmospheric deposition, hydrothermal activities and continental shelf interaction. They are essential for ocean productivity. Hence, all are correct.

5. Consider the following statements:

1. During El Niño, there is abnormal surface warming observed along the eastern and central regions of the Pacific Ocean.
2. While La Niña conditions enhance the rainfall associated with the Northeast monsoon, it has a negative impact on rainfall associated with the Southwest monsoon.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • While El Niño (Spanish for ‘little boy’), the expression heard more commonly in India, is the abnormal surface warming observed along the eastern and central regions of the Pacific Ocean (region between Peru and Papua New Guinea), La Niña (Spanish for ‘little girl’) is an abnormal cooling of these surface waters. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • Together, the El Niño and La Niña phenomena are termed as El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). These are large-scale ocean phenomena which inflence the global weather — winds, temperature and rainfall. They have the ability to trigger extreme weather events like droughts, floods, hot and cold conditions, globally.
  • While La Niña conditions enhance the rainfall associated with the Southwest monsoon, it has a negative impact on rainfall associated with the Northeast monsoon. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.