Q1) Heat waves are a silent natural disaster. Describe the criteria for declaring heat waves and enumerate its humanitarian, environmental and economic impacts. (250 words/ 15 Marks) ANS A heat wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, which in combination with high humidity may that leads to physiological stress in living beings. Heat wave…
Q1) The melting of the cryosphere due to climate change is a global threat whose effects will not be restricted to mountains and polar countries. Discuss. (250 Words/ 15 Marks) ANSWER The cryosphere refers to the frozen water on Earth’s surface, including glaciers, ice caps, and sea ice. The melting of the cryosphere due to…
Q1) Define air mass and explain the influence of different types of air masses on weather patterns. (250 Words/ 15 Marks) ANS An air mass is a large body of air which has uniform characteristics in terms of temperature, moisture content and lapse rate. However, the sheer size and expanse of the air mass mean…
Q1) Describe the factors that influence the monsoon rainfall in India. What do you mean by normal monsoon? Why do some regions suffer drought even in a year of ‘normal monsoon’? (250 words/ 15 marks) ANSWER Monsoon is the rainfall season of India that typically occurs from June to September. During this time, warm, moist…
Q1) Explain the origin and evolution of the Himalayan Mountain range. What impact do Himalayas have on the climate and geography of the Indian subcontinent? (250 words/ 15 Marks) The Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world. It spreads across 2400 km over five countries with major parts in India and Nepal. The…
Q1) Account for the differences in ocean water density across the globe and its diverse implications. (150 words/10 m) ANSWER The ocean water across the globe differs in density due to the difference in the parameters of salinity and temperature. The variation can be accounted as: Temperature: Figure: thermocline  The temperature of ocean water varies…
Q1) To what extent does the theory of plate tectonics explain the major geological features of the Earth’s surface? Discuss with suitable examples. ANSWER Plate tectonics is a geological theory according to which earth’s lithosphere is broken into distinct plates floating on asthenosphere, upper part of the mantle. Tectonic plates are massive, rigid lithospheric slabs…
Q1) Describe the structure of a tropical cyclone and the conditions that are suitable for its formation. Also discuss the impact of tropical cyclones on human populations and the natural environment. ANSWER The tropical cyclones are a large, rotating system of clouds, thunderstorms, and strong winds that forms over warm ocean waters. They are also…
Q1) What do you understand by the Inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ)? Discuss the climatic impact of its seasonal shift. The Inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is the trough of Low Pressure circumventing the Earth in the tropics, almost parallel to the equator. It follows the movement of sun and traverse towards the North or to the…
Q1) With the help of an annotated diagram, discuss the various landforms of karst region. Why is ‘underground scenery’ very well developed in karst region? Karst is a topography formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. This process creates a unique landscape of distinctive landforms, as shown in the…