Learn Geography

NB - This is a question from core GEOLOGY - often repeated for mains in Geology optional. But such questions can come in Geography paper in UPSC as a BOUNCER QUESTION. This makes the paper tough and make people worthless, having to face such questions in the examination hall.  STRATEGY - Be calm, keep cool, just realise that the question tough/ bouncer for you will be a bouncer for every one. From the words- figure out some area of syllabus - Structure answer with key words like - formation-- compositions-- features importance etc.. add key words like - faultlines, matamorphic rocks, pulvarise and fractures of existing rocks, textural characteristics, etc  This strategy will help you to manage this kind of questions.   Cataclasite rocks are a fascinating result of Earth's powerful forces. Here's a breakdown: Formation: Imagine the immense pressure and grinding that occurs during earthquakes or along fault lines in the Earth's crust. This intense crushing and shearing...

  Factors affecting Oceanic Currents Factors related to Earth’s rotation and Insolation Equatorial and Counter currents : As the earth rotates from west to east, there is net movement of water from east to west. This water creates a gradient which further initiates counter currents in equatorial regions. Heating by solar energy causes the water to expand. That is why, near the equator the ocean water is about 8 cm higher in level than in the middle latitudes. Coriolis effect : As every freely moving body on earth surface is influenced by Coriolis effect, the moving waters are deflected by Coriolis force, which is by product of earth's rotation. Factors related to winds and atmospheric circulation. Drift currents : Wind blowing on the surface of the ocean pushes the water to move. Friction between the wind and the water surface affects the movement of the water body in its course. Eg : North Atlantic Drift Current is Gulf stream waters moving under the influence of Westerly winds....

  The following table can be elaborated for the above question :  Chernozem Sierozem Location Temperate Grasslands Mid latitudinal deserts Climate  Sub humid climate Arid climate Fertility Highly fertile Less fertile Organic content Medium to High Low Minerals Calcium rich soils on surface Lime and Gypsum close to surface Vegetation Steppe grasses Thorny, Xerophytic vegetation Regions Prairies, Steppe, Pampa, Entre Rios, Downs, Veld Mongolia, Colorado, Sinkiang, Turkmenistan Join the Geography telegram channel for latest updates and current events in the field of Geography using the link https://t.me/geolite Visit  www.enliteias.com  for details regarding Geography Optional.

  FOREST FIRES:   Vulnerability: 54.40% of forests in India are exposed to occasional fires North-Eastern India and Central India along with some patches in Western ghats, Uttarakhand etc. Causes: Natural :  Lightening  Volcanic eruptions Dry leaves litters Swaying of Bamboos Rolling stones Heat waves and high temperatures. Anthropogenic causes:  Shifting cultivation  Invasive species brought into forest as plantations, increasing vulnerability.        Eg Chir pine in Uttarakhand.  Deliberate fires  Camp fires and irresponsible tourism in forest Burning farm residues Forest Fire Management: Preventing Moisture retention measures – landscape management, artificial water sources inside forest.  Forest fire prone zone identification and mapping. Effective forest floor biomass management – controlled burning Firelines Weed management. Preparedness Vulnerability assessment Early Fire detection and response. Digitisation of fore...

  LANDSLIDE Process involving the downward movement of a part of the slope forming material due to the action of gravity. 15% of land area prone to landslides and avalanches Prone areas – Himalayas, Northeastern India and Meghalaya Plateau, Western Ghats and Nilgiris CAUSES: Tectonic- Triggered by earthquakes. Slope failure Soil piping Soil erosion Avalanches and GLOF events cause landslide High intensity Rains- Cloudburst, Vagaries of Monsoon. Anthropogenic factors Mining and tunneling in hilly areas. Deforestation and land use change patterns Mismanagement of river embankments Illegal construction on slopes Improper management of slope                                                           ...

  Water availability Based on survival habits of plants they are classified as :   Xerophytes that can survive drought like conditions. Eg Cacti, Pineapple Phreatophytes develop deep roots to improve the water attaining ability. Some trees like acacia do have water storing capacity Eg Welwitschia, mesquite, alfalfa Succulents are plants with a shallow root system but perform maximum absorption and storing of waters especially in dry areas.  Eg Aloe Vera, Crown of Thorns, Flaming Katy,  Jade Plant   Sclerophyllous plants tolerate seasonal drought conditions without shedding leaves. Eg Scrub oak, Olive, Eucalyptus Halophytes are salt resistant varieties that can survive in waterlogged conditions Eg Avicenna species, sea lavender, rice grass etc Hydrophytes adapt to excess water conditions like rivers Lakes etc Eg Lotus, Water Lilly, Hydrilla, Valisineria, etc Mesophytes are plants adapted to balanced conditions Join the Geography telegram channel for latest upda...

  Speciation Speciation is the process by which a new kind of plant or animal species is created. It occurs when a group within a population separates from other members and develops its own unique characteristics t o form a new species.  Geographical / Allopatric speciation It is also called as allopatric speciation . It is the method by which geographical isolation stops the connection between interbreeding  members of the same population. A physical barrier, such as a mountain range or a waterway, makes it impossible for them to breed with one another. Each species develops differently based on the demands of their unique habitat or the genetic characteristics of the group that are passed onto offspring forming two different species in the long term.  Example:   The elephant population in Africa and India evolved separately forming different species of the same population. Marsupials developed as Kangaroo in Australia, Opossum in South America, Tasmanian...

  Soil Structure It is defined by the way individual particles of sand, silt, and clay are assembled. Single particles when assembled appear as larger particles. These are called aggregates. Based on the size and shape of peds, there are different structures. Some of them are 1. Granular and crumb structures are individual particles of sand, silt and clay grouped together in small, nearly spherical grains. Water circulates very easily through such soils. They are commonly found in the A-horizon of the soil profile 2. Blocky and sub angular blocky structures are soil particles that cling together in nearly square or angular blocks having more or less sharp edges. Relatively large blocks indicate that the soil resists penetration and movement of water. They are commonly found in the B-horizon where clay has accumulated; 3. Prismatic soil particles that are formed into vertical prismatic structure. Similar to  columnar structure. 4. Columnar structures are soil particles...