World and Physical Geography

Basket-of-eggs topography is related to

[amp_mcq option1=”Drumlins.” option2=”Eskers.” option3=”Cirques.” option4=”Moraines.” correct=”option1″]

The correct answer is Drumlins.

“Basket-of-eggs topography” is a descriptive term used for landscapes characterized by a large number of drumlins. Drumlins are streamlined, elongated hills formed by glacial ice acting on underlying unconsolidated material. They are typically shaped like an inverted spoon or half-buried egg, with the blunt end facing upstream (towards the ice flow) and the tapered end pointing downstream. When numerous drumlins are present together in a region, they create a distinctive pattern resembling a basket filled with eggs from an aerial view.

Eskers are ridge-like deposits left by meltwater streams within or under a glacier. Cirques are bowl-shaped depressions carved by glacial erosion at the head of a valley. Moraines are accumulations of rock debris deposited by glaciers, forming various features like ridges (lateral, medial, terminal moraines) or irregular deposits (ground moraine). Only drumlins occur in clusters that create the “basket-of-eggs” appearance.

The process whereby certain minerals absorb the water, expand and change is called as

[amp_mcq option1=”Hydration.” option2=”Oxidation.” option3=”Hydrolysis.” option4=”Carbonation.” correct=”option1″]

The correct answer is Hydration.

Hydration is a process of chemical weathering where certain minerals absorb water into their crystal structure. This absorption causes the minerals to swell and expand, leading to stress within the rock and eventual disintegration. Examples include the hydration of feldspars into clay minerals.

Oxidation is a process where minerals react with oxygen, often in the presence of water, leading to rust formation in iron-bearing minerals. Hydrolysis involves the chemical reaction of water with a mineral, breaking down the mineral by replacing ions with hydrogen or hydroxyl ions from water. Carbonation is the reaction of minerals with carbonic acid (formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in water), common in the weathering of limestone. While water is involved in all these processes, the specific process of mineral absorption of water leading to expansion and change is defined as hydration.

Advantage(s) of tectonic activity in Iceland include(s):

• 1. Source of natural geothermal energy
• 2. Creation of new land
• 3. Attraction of tourists

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option4″]

The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3.

Iceland is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a divergent plate boundary, making it one of the most geologically active places on Earth. This tectonic activity manifests as frequent volcanic eruptions and geothermal activity. Geothermal energy (from hot springs, geysers, etc.) is a major source of heating and electricity in Iceland (Statement 1 is correct). Volcanic eruptions can lead to the creation of new landforms, including islands (like Surtsey) and lava fields (Statement 2 is correct). The dramatic volcanic and glacial landscapes resulting from this tectonic activity, such as geysers, hot springs, volcanoes, and unique rock formations, are major attractions for tourists worldwide (Statement 3 is correct).

Iceland is often referred to as the “Land of Fire and Ice” due to the coexistence of glaciers and volcanoes, both products of its geological setting. The abundance of geothermal energy makes Iceland a leader in renewable energy use. The continuous geological processes shape its unique and appealing landscape for tourism.

Which one of the following is not a minor plate ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Cocos Plate” option2=”Nazca Plate” option3=”Caroline Plate” option4=”Antarctic Plate” correct=”option4″]

The correct answer is D) Antarctic Plate.

The Earth’s lithosphere is divided into several large and small tectonic plates. Major plates are generally considered to be the Pacific Plate, North American Plate, Eurasian Plate, Indo-Australian Plate, African Plate, South American Plate, and Antarctic Plate. Minor plates are smaller and often located in complex zones between major plates. The Cocos Plate, Nazca Plate, and Caroline Plate are all classified as minor or intermediate-sized tectonic plates. The Antarctic Plate is one of the seven principal major tectonic plates.

Minor plates include the Arabian Plate, Caribbean Plate, Scotia Plate, Philippine Sea Plate, Fiji Plate, and many others. The classification into “major” and “minor” can sometimes vary slightly depending on the source, but the Antarctic Plate is universally recognized as a major plate due to its large size and significant tectonic boundaries.