World and Physical Geography

411. Which one of the following ocean currents is NOT a cold ocean current?

Which one of the following ocean currents is NOT a cold ocean current?

[amp_mcq option1=”Canary current” option2=”California current” option3=”Kuroshio current” option4=”Oyashio current” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
Download PDFAttempt Online
The Kuroshio current is a warm ocean current, while the Canary current, California current, and Oyashio current are cold ocean currents.
– Warm ocean currents generally flow from equatorial regions towards the poles, carrying warmer water.
– Cold ocean currents generally flow from polar regions towards the equator, carrying colder water.
– The Kuroshio is a strong western boundary current in the North Pacific, similar to the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic, bringing warm water northwards.
– The Canary and California currents are eastern boundary currents that flow southwards, carrying cooler water.
– The Oyashio is a subpolar current flowing south from the Bering Sea, bringing cold water to the North Pacific.
Ocean currents play a crucial role in distributing heat around the globe, influencing regional climates, marine ecosystems, and weather patterns. Western boundary currents like the Kuroshio are typically warm, deep, fast, and narrow, while eastern boundary currents like the California and Canary currents are typically cold, shallow, slow, and wide.

412. Consider the following statements relating to Richter scale: 1. It w

Consider the following statements relating to Richter scale:

  • 1. It was devised in 1935 by Charles F. Richter
  • 2. It describes the quantity of energy released by a single earthquake
  • 3. Richter Scale has no upper limit

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
Download PDFAttempt Online
All three statements regarding the Richter scale are considered correct in the context of this question.
– Statement 1: The Richter magnitude scale was indeed devised by Charles F. Richter in 1935, along with Beno Gutenberg.
– Statement 2: The Richter scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake, which is directly related to the energy released. While the scale is based on the amplitude of seismic waves, magnitude is a logarithmic measure from which the quantity of energy released can be estimated.
– Statement 3: Theoretically, the Richter scale does not have an upper limit in its mathematical definition. Although practical measurement limitations existed with the original instruments for very large earthquakes, the scale itself isn’t bounded.
The Richter scale is a logarithmic scale; each whole number increase in magnitude represents a tenfold increase in wave amplitude and approximately a 32-fold increase in the energy released. For large earthquakes, the Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw) is now preferred as it is more directly related to the total energy released and does not suffer from saturation effects like the Richter scale at high magnitudes.

413. Which one of the following is an example of Salt-Crystal growth ?

Which one of the following is an example of Salt-Crystal growth ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Chemical weathering” option2=”Physical weathering” option3=”Biological weathering” option4=”Bio-chemical weathering” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
Download PDFAttempt Online
Salt-crystal growth is a form of mechanical weathering (also known as physical weathering) where salts crystallize within the pores and cracks of rocks.
– Salt crystallization occurs when saline water evaporates, leaving salt crystals behind.
– As these crystals grow, they exert pressure on the surrounding rock, causing it to disintegrate.
– This process is particularly effective in arid and semi-arid regions where evaporation rates are high, and in coastal areas exposed to salt spray.
Physical weathering breaks down rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition. Other examples of physical weathering include frost wedging, thermal expansion and contraction, exfoliation, and abrasion. Chemical weathering involves chemical changes in the rock composition (e.g., dissolution, oxidation, hydrolysis). Biological weathering involves the action of living organisms. Bio-chemical weathering is a combination of biological and chemical processes.

414. Which of the following is/are environmental effects of Rotation of the

Which of the following is/are environmental effects of Rotation of the Earth ?

  • 1. Daily or diurnal rhythm in day-light and air temperature
  • 2. Flow path of both air and water are turned consistently in a side-ward direction
  • 3. The movement of the tides

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
Download PDFAttempt Online
The rotation of the Earth on its axis has several significant environmental effects. These include:
1. Creating the cycle of day and night, leading to diurnal variations in sunlight and thus air temperature (daily rhythm).
2. Causing the Coriolis effect, which deflects moving objects (like air and water currents) to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This influences wind patterns, ocean currents, and even the flow of rivers over long distances.
The movement of tides is primarily caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun. While Earth’s rotation influences the timing and frequency of tides experienced at a particular location, the tidal bulges themselves are a result of gravitational forces, not Earth’s rotation directly causing the water movement as its primary effect in this context.
– Rotation causes day-night cycles (diurnal rhythm).
– Rotation causes the Coriolis effect, deflecting air and water flows.
– Tides are primarily caused by gravitational forces from the Moon and Sun.
The Coriolis effect is a fundamental concept in meteorology and oceanography, explaining large-scale weather patterns like cyclones and the direction of ocean currents. The interaction of Earth’s rotation with tidal forces contributes to phenomena like tidal currents and the timing of high/low tides, but the fundamental cause of the tidal bulge is gravity.

415. ‘Inversion of Rainfall” is associated with

‘Inversion of Rainfall” is associated with

[amp_mcq option1=”Orographic rainfall” option2=”Convectional rainfall” option3=”Cyclonic rainfall (Tropical)” option4=”Cyclonic rainfall (Temperate)” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
Download PDFAttempt Online
‘Inversion of Rainfall’ is associated with Orographic rainfall.
Inversion of rainfall refers to the phenomenon where, in mountainous regions, rainfall increases with altitude up to a certain height (the zone of maximum precipitation), but then decreases above that level. This pattern is typically observed in orographic rainfall, which occurs when moist air is forced to rise over a mountain barrier. As the air rises, it cools, leading to condensation and precipitation on the windward slopes. However, at very high altitudes, the amount of moisture in the air may decrease, temperatures become very low, and other factors limit further precipitation, causing the rainfall amount to decrease beyond the optimum level.
Convectional rainfall occurs due to vertical uplift of heated air, often leading to thunderstorms, and doesn’t typically exhibit this specific altitude-dependent inversion pattern across a mountain slope. Cyclonic rainfall (Tropical or Temperate) is associated with large-scale weather systems (low-pressure systems, fronts) where precipitation patterns are influenced by convergence and uplift over broader areas, not primarily by the forced ascent over a single mountain barrier which causes the distinct rainfall profile described as inversion.

416. ‘Shamal’ warm and dry wind is a ‘Local’ wind found in

‘Shamal’ warm and dry wind is a ‘Local’ wind found in

[amp_mcq option1=”East Asia” option2=”West Coast of Africa” option3=”Sahara of Africa” option4=”Mesopotamia” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
Download PDFAttempt Online
‘Shamal’ warm and dry wind is a local wind found in Mesopotamia.
The Shamal (or Shumāl) is a northwesterly wind blowing over Iraq, Kuwait, and parts of northern Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf. It is a hot, dry wind that often brings dust and sandstorms, particularly in summer. Historically, this region corresponds largely to ancient Mesopotamia and the surrounding areas.
Other local winds have specific regional names: the Harmattan is a dry, dusty trade wind blowing from the Sahara Desert over West Africa; the Sirocco is a Mediterranean wind that comes from the Sahara and reaches southern Europe; the Khamsin is a dry, hot, sandy local wind occurring in Egypt and Israel. The Shamal is characteristic of the Middle East region encompassing Mesopotamia.

417. ‘Viticulture’ is a common feature of which one of the following Austra

‘Viticulture’ is a common feature of which one of the following Australian cities ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Adelaide” option2=”Darwin” option3=”Hobart” option4=”Brisbane” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
Download PDFAttempt Online
Viticulture is a common feature of Adelaide.
Viticulture, the cultivation of grapevines, is strongly associated with Adelaide due to its proximity to some of Australia’s most famous wine regions. South Australia, with Adelaide as its capital, is a major wine-producing state in Australia and is home to world-renowned regions like Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Adelaide Hills, all located relatively close to the city. While other parts of Australia also produce wine, Adelaide is arguably the major city most closely linked with significant and internationally recognized viticulture areas.
Darwin is in the tropical Northern Territory and is not known for viticulture. Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, is near some wine regions, but Tasmania is a smaller wine producer compared to South Australia. Brisbane, in Queensland, is also near some wine areas (like the Granite Belt), but again, Queensland’s wine industry is less prominent than South Australia’s. Therefore, Adelaide is the city most strongly associated with extensive viticulture among the given options.

418. ‘Campos’ and ‘Llanos’, Tropical Savanna grasslands are generally found

‘Campos’ and ‘Llanos’, Tropical Savanna grasslands are generally found in

[amp_mcq option1=”Australia” option2=”Central Africa” option3=”South America” option4=”East Asia” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
Download PDFAttempt Online
‘Campos’ and ‘Llanos’, Tropical Savanna grasslands are generally found in South America.
‘Campos’ refers to the tropical savanna grasslands primarily found in Brazil, particularly the Cerrado region. ‘Llanos’ refers to the vast tropical grassland plain stretching across parts of Venezuela and Colombia. Both are prominent savanna ecosystems located in South America. While tropical savannas exist in other continents like Africa and Australia, the terms ‘Campos’ and ‘Llanos’ are specific to South America.
Tropical savannas are grasslands with scattered trees, found in regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. Other famous tropical savanna regions include the Serengeti in East Africa and the Australian savanna. Different regions use different local names for these ecosystems. For example, in Africa, they are often just called ‘savanna’ or specific regional names, and in Australia, they are also referred to as ‘savanna’ or ‘tropical grasslands’.

419. Which one of the following is NOT true in reference to Air mass ?

Which one of the following is NOT true in reference to Air mass ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Air mass forms either in tropical or in polar region” option2=”Air mass develops on continents as well as over ocean” option3=”Air mass develops in a cyclonic condition” option4=”Air mass changes the weather conditions” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
Download PDFAttempt Online
It is NOT true that Air mass develops in a cyclonic condition.
An air mass is a large volume of air that has relatively uniform temperature and moisture characteristics throughout, acquired from its source region.
A) Air mass forms either in tropical or in polar region: True. Source regions are typically large, homogeneous areas like tropical oceans, polar continents, etc.
B) Air mass develops on continents as well as over ocean: True. Source regions can be continental (cA, cT) or maritime (mA, mT).
C) Air mass develops in a cyclonic condition: False. Cyclonic conditions involve convergence and uplift, leading to mixing and non-uniformity. Air masses form in areas of stable, stagnant, or slow-moving air, usually under high pressure (anticyclonic) conditions where the air resides long enough to take on the characteristics of the underlying surface.
D) Air mass changes the weather conditions: True. When an air mass moves from its source region to another area, it brings its characteristic temperature and moisture properties, influencing the weather of the new region.
Source regions for air masses are typically high-pressure areas because the air in such systems is stable and subsides, allowing it to remain over a region for sufficient time to acquire uniform properties. Low-pressure systems (cyclones) are dynamic zones of converging and lifting air, which are not conducive to the formation of homogeneous air masses. Instead, cyclones often form along the boundaries (fronts) between different air masses.

420. Spring tides refer to

Spring tides refer to

[amp_mcq option1=”greatest difference in the sea level at high and low tides” option2=”lowest difference in the sea level at high and low tides” option3=”no difference in the sea level at high and low tides” option4=”counteraction of gravitational pull of the Sun to that of Moon” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is A) greatest difference in the sea level at high and low tides.
Spring tides are tidal events that occur twice each lunar month, around the times of the new moon and full moon. During these phases, the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned. The combined gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon on Earth’s oceans is strongest, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides than average. The difference between high and low tide sea levels (tidal range) is therefore maximized during spring tides. Neap tides, conversely, occur when the Sun and Moon are at right angles relative to Earth (during the first and third quarter moon phases), resulting in smaller tidal ranges.
The term “spring” in spring tide does not refer to the season but rather to the ‘springing forth’ or rising of the tide. Spring tides have the maximum tidal range, while neap tides have the minimum tidal range.
Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5