Physical Division Archives

11. Which one of the following is the narrow belt parallel to the Shiwalik

Which one of the following is the narrow belt parallel to the Shiwalik foothills where streams and rivers coming from the mountains deposit heavy materials of rocks and boulders ?

Tarai

Bhangar

Bhabar

Khadar

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2023

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The narrow belt parallel to the Shiwalik foothills where streams deposit heavy materials like rocks and boulders is known as Bhabar.

Bhabar is characterized by porous and stony soil, and streams disappear underground in this region due to infiltration through the coarse deposits.

South of the Bhabar belt is the Tarai belt, a wet, marshy, and densely forested region where the streams re-emerge. Further south lie the alluvial plains, divided into Bhangar (older alluvium) and Khadar (newer alluvium).

12. Which one of the following is known as uplands of delta region?

Which one of the following is known as uplands of delta region?

Bef

Bils

Peh

Chars

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2018

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In the context of the Ganges Delta and similar deltaic regions, ‘Chars’ refer to sandy islands, newly formed land, or elevated tracts of land within or adjacent to river channels and deltaic plains. These ‘chars’ are relatively higher than the surrounding low-lying deltaic areas and are often used for cultivation after the flood season, making them the characteristic ‘uplands’ of such regions.

This question tests specific regional geographical terminology related to deltaic landforms, particularly relevant to the geography of South Asia (like the Bengal Delta).

‘Bils’ are low-lying wetland areas or depressions, often lakes or swamps, characteristic of deltaic floodplains (opposite of uplands). ‘Bef’ and ‘Peh’ are not standard widely recognized geographical terms for deltaic uplands. ‘Chars’ are dynamic features constantly changing due to erosion and deposition by rivers.

13. In India, rigid and stable elevated lands, denuded rocks and series of

In India, rigid and stable elevated lands, denuded rocks and series of scarps are the features of which of the following?

Northern mountains

Peninsular plateau

Northern plains

Coastal plains

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2022

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The correct answer is B) Peninsular plateau.

The Peninsular plateau of India is an ancient, stable landmass. It is characterized by elevated plateaus, old denuded hills (denuded rocks), and features like rift valleys and fault scarps (series of scarps), indicating its stable but uplifted and eroded nature over geological time.

The Northern mountains (Himalayas) are young, geologically active, and not rigid and stable in the same way. The Northern plains and Coastal plains are depositional landforms, relatively flat and low-lying, not characterized by elevated lands, denuded rocks, or scarps in the same manner as the plateau.

14. In Thar region, the shifting sand dunes are locally known as

In Thar region, the shifting sand dunes are locally known as

Dhrian

Daurs

Dhoros

Dhaya

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2016

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In the Thar region, the shifting sand dunes are locally known as Dhrian.

The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, has various types of sand dunes. Shifting sand dunes, which change shape and location due to wind action, are a prominent feature. In the local dialect of the region (parts of Rajasthan), these shifting dunes are referred to as ‘Dhrian’. ‘Dhoros’ is another local term, often used for sand hills or dunes, which may be stabilized or partially stabilized, but ‘Dhrian’ specifically refers to the actively shifting variety.

Other types of dunes found in the Thar Desert include barchans (crescent-shaped dunes), parabolic dunes, and longitudinal dunes. Local terminology varies across the region.

15. Consider the following statements : 1. Rajmahal highlands consist of

Consider the following statements :

1. Rajmahal highlands consist of lava flow deposits.
2. Bundelkhand gneiss belong to the oldest Achaean rocks of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2016

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Statement 1 is correct. The Rajmahal Hills in Eastern India are composed primarily of basaltic lava flows known as the Rajmahal Traps, which erupted during the Jurassic period.
Statement 2 is correct. The Bundelkhand Gneissic Complex is a part of the Peninsular Gneiss and belongs to the Archaean geological period, making it one of the oldest rock formations in India.
Since both statements are correct, the correct option is C.

– Rajmahal Traps: Large igneous province formed by volcanic activity.
– Bundelkhand Gneiss: Ancient crystalline basement rocks.
– Archaean Eon: The earliest geological eon in Earth’s history, preceding the Proterozoic Eon.

The Deccan Traps, another major large igneous province formed by lava flows, are younger than the Rajmahal Traps, dating back to the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary. The Bundelkhand region is a shield area composed of granite and gneiss, representing the core of the Indian Peninsular plate.

16. Which one of the following States of India has the largest area under

Which one of the following States of India has the largest area under ravines?

Uttar Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh

Punjab

Gujarat

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2023

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Among the given options, Uttar Pradesh has one of the largest areas under ravines in India.

– Ravine erosion is a severe form of gully erosion that leads to the formation of deep gorges or ravines, particularly in semi-arid regions with soft alluvial deposits.
– The Chambal basin and parts of the Yamuna basin are known for extensive ravines. These areas are spread across states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

While Madhya Pradesh is often cited as having the largest area under severe gully erosion or ravines, Uttar Pradesh also possesses significant ravine-affected areas, especially in its southern regions along the Yamuna and its tributaries. Among the given options, Uttar Pradesh is the state with the most extensive ravine area. Himachal Pradesh is mountainous, Punjab is primarily plains, and Gujarat has some affected areas but less extensive than UP or MP.

17. Streams and rivers coming from the mountains deposit heavy materials o

Streams and rivers coming from the mountains deposit heavy materials of rocks and boulders in

Khadar

Bhangar

Bhabar

Terai

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2021

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The Bhabar region is a narrow belt situated along the foot of the Shiwaliks in the Himalayas. Streams descending from the mountains lose velocity here and deposit coarse sediments like pebbles and boulders, causing them to disappear underground due to the porosity of the deposits.

This deposition of heavy materials is a characteristic feature of the Bhabar plain.

South of Bhabar lies the Terai, a wet, marshy plain where the streams re-emerge. Further south are the alluvial plains, classified into Bhangar (older alluvium, above flood level) and Khadar (newer alluvium, in floodplains).

18. Arrange the following popular hill stations of India in terms of their

Arrange the following popular hill stations of India in terms of their height (from highest to the lowest) from the mean sea level :
1. Mussoorie
2. Shimla
3. Ooty
4. Darjeeling
Select the correct answer using the code given below :

3-2-4-1

3-1-4-2

2-3-4-1

2-4-1-3

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2016

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The approximate elevations of the given hill stations are:
Ooty (Udhagamandalam): ~2,240 meters above sea level.
Shimla: ~2,200 meters above sea level.
Darjeeling: ~2,050 meters above sea level.
Mussoorie: ~1,880 meters above sea level.
Arranging them from highest to lowest: Ooty (3), Shimla (2), Darjeeling (4), Mussoorie (1). The correct sequence is 3-2-4-1.

Knowing the relative elevations of popular geographical locations is useful for such questions.

Elevations can vary slightly depending on the specific point of measurement within the town, but these approximate values are commonly used for comparison.