Geography · General Awareness

Geology and Earth Structure

1,268 Questions

Geology and Earth Structure explores the physical composition of the planet, including its layers, tectonic plates, and seismic activity. This topic is a core component of geography and general science sections in various competitive exams. Reviewing these concepts builds a solid foundation for answering questions related to natural phenomena.

Layers of the EarthTectonic PlatesEarthquakes and VolcanoesGeomagnetism ApplicationsGeophysical MethodsLandform Formation

Geology and Earth Structure Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the alternatives given below is the correct synonym of ‘constant’ as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the following question.

The Pacific Ring of Fire is the name that is given to a horseshoe shaped area in the Pacific Ocean which extends from South America and North America to Eastern Asia, Australia and New Zealand. This area is famous for its constant seismic activity and because of the amount of active volcanoes that can be found here. 75% of dormant and active volcanoes are found in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Now it is known that the area is very close to several tectonic plates which may be what influences the violent activity in the area. It is believed that the Pacific Ring of Fire has a total of 452 volcanoes. Some of the world’s most active volcanoes are found here. The volcanoes can be very dangerous to the population nearby. The Pacific Ring of Fire is different today than it was thousands of years ago because of the changes caused by tectonic plates. The Pacific Plate will hit other plates nearby and that causes them to sink. The crust melts producing the magma that feeds the different volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire or it will help produce new volcanoes. The tectonic plates are the reason for the many violent earthquakes in the entire area of the pacific.

  1. perpetual

  2. uninterrupted

  3. steady

  4. ephemeral

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Perpetual indicates something that continues forever or lasts for an indefinite time. Something that occurs repeatedly and so frequently as to seem endless and uninterrupted is perpetual. The context indicates that some form of seismic activity keeps taking place at any given piont of time in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Multiple choice

What is the Ring of Fire famous for?

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the following question.

The Pacific Ring of Fire is the name that is given to a horseshoe shaped area in the Pacific Ocean which extends from South America and North America to Eastern Asia, Australia and New Zealand. This area is famous for its constant seismic activity and because of the amount of active volcanoes that can be found here. 75% of dormant and active volcanoes are found in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Now it is known that the area is very close to several tectonic plates which may be what influences the violent activity in the area. It is believed that the Pacific Ring of Fire has a total of 452 volcanoes. Some of the world’s most active volcanoes are found here. The volcanoes can be very dangerous to the population nearby. The Pacific Ring of Fire is different today than it was thousands of years ago because of the changes caused by tectonic plates. The Pacific Plate will hit other plates nearby and that causes them to sink. The crust melts producing the magma that feeds the different volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire or it will help produce new volcanoes. The tectonic plates are the reason for the many violent earthquakes in the entire area of the pacific.

  1. The converging tectonic plates in the area

  2. The different types of volcanoes in the area

  3. The number of earthquakes

  4. The new volcanoes that arise as a result of the seismic activity

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The passage states that this area is famous for its constant seismic activity and because of the amount of active volcanoes that can be found here. The seismic activity that the context refers to is the number of earthquakes.

Multiple choice

What sort of volcanoes can be found in the Pacific Ring of Fire?

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the following question.

The Pacific Ring of Fire is the name that is given to a horseshoe shaped area in the Pacific Ocean which extends from South America and North America to Eastern Asia, Australia and New Zealand. This area is famous for its constant seismic activity and because of the amount of active volcanoes that can be found here. 75% of dormant and active volcanoes are found in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Now it is known that the area is very close to several tectonic plates which may be what influences the violent activity in the area. It is believed that the Pacific Ring of Fire has a total of 452 volcanoes. Some of the world’s most active volcanoes are found here. The volcanoes can be very dangerous to the population nearby. The Pacific Ring of Fire is different today than it was thousands of years ago because of the changes caused by tectonic plates. The Pacific Plate will hit other plates nearby and that causes them to sink. The crust melts producing the magma that feeds the different volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire or it will help produce new volcanoes. The tectonic plates are the reason for the many violent earthquakes in the entire area of the pacific.

  1. Active volcanoes

  2. Dormant volcanoes

  3. Active as well as dormant volcanoes

  4. Extinct volcanoes

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The passage informs us that both active as well as dormant volcanoes are found here.

Multiple choice

Which of the following facts is/are true about Decade Volcanoes?

  1. They are 16 in number.
  2. The Decade Volcanoes are identified by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of Earth's Interior.
  3. Mount Fuji in Japan, an active strato-volcano, is classified under the Decade Volcanoes.
  4. These volcanoes have a history of large and destructive eruptions and are situated near populated areas.

  1. 2, 3 and 4

  2. 1, 2 and 4

  3. 1, 2 and 3

  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, an active strato-volcano which last erupted in 1707. Today, Mount Fuji is an international destination for tourism and mountain-climbing. It is not included among the Decade Volcanoes, a list of volcanoes which are potential threats to population living around them.

Multiple choice

Which of the following earthquake waves is the most destructive?

  1. Primary wave

  2. Secondary wave

  3. Rayleigh wave

  4. Love wave
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

There are two types of seismic waves, body waves and surface waves. Body waves (p-waves and s-waves) travel through the interior of the Earth. Surface waves travel along the Earth's surface. They travel slower than body waves. Because of their low frequency, long duration and large amplitude, they can be the most destructive type of seismic wave. There are two types of surface waves: Rayleigh waves and Love waves. Out of these two waves, love waves are more destructive.

Multiple choice

Which of the following sub-units of Indian physiography does the following information refer to?

  1. It was mainly formed in the cretaceous period.
  2. Large scale upheaval of basaltic lava from the earth's interior led to its formation.
  3. It has gentle slope in the South and steep slope in the North.

  1. Chota Nagpur Plateau

  2. Deccan Plateau

  3. Vindhyan Plateau

  4. Dandakaranya region
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Maharashtra Plateau or Deccan Plateau was formed in the cretaceous period due to massive upheaval of basaltic lava from the interior of the earth. It has gentle slope in the South (towards the Karnataka Plains) and steep slope in the North (towards the Satpura ranges).

Multiple choice

Most of the earthquakes are caused by

  1. volcanic eruptions

  2. meteor hits

  3. underground nuclear explosions

  4. movement of earth’s plates
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Most of the earthquakes are caused by the movement of earth’s plates.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements about the earthquake-prone zones of India is true?

  1. Whole of the south India is not prone to earthquakes.

  2. Only western and central Himalayas are earthquake-prone with the whole of northeast being danger free.

  3. Rann of Kutch and Rajasthan are not earthquake-prone.

  4. The Indo-gangetic plane is earthquake-prone.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Indo-gangetic plane is earthquake-prone. Only option (4) is correct.