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 following statements is/are correct about the Peninsular mountains?

a. They are young, stable and residual in their geological structure. b. They are still subjected to the development of faults, folds and thrust plains. c. These mountains are tectonic in origin, dissected by fast-flowing rivers.

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. c only

  4. b and c

  5. a, b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as both statements b and c are correct.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?

a. The Indian and Australian plates were joined millions of years ago. b. The Indian plate moved northwards after breaking away from the Australian plate. c. The northward movement of the Indian plate stopped after it joined the Asian plate.

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. c only

  4. a and b

  5. a, b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as this statement is incorrect. The northward movement of the Indian plate is still continuing.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a. The Peninsula was formed by ancient gneisses and granites, which constitute a major part of it. b. The Peninsular block is a rigid block with the exception of some of its western coast which is submerged beneath the sea. c. The original basement of the whole block is unchanged despite the tectonic activity.

  1. a and b

  2. a and c

  3. b and c

  4. a, b and c

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

This is the correct answer as all the statements are correct.

Multiple choice

Knot is a measure of

  1. The speed of ship

  2. The curvature of spherical objects

  3. Solar radiation

  4. Intensity of earthquake shock
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A knot is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour. It is primarily used in maritime and aviation contexts to measure the speed of ships and aircraft. 1 knot equals approximately 1.15 miles per hour or 1.85 kilometers per hour.

Multiple choice

Lithosphere consist of

  1. Water component of environment

  2. Solid component of earth crust

  3. Gases component of environment

  4. both (1) and (3)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The lithosphere is the solid, outer part of Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost mantle. It is a rigid layer broken into tectonic plates that 'float' on the more ductile asthenosphere beneath. This distinguishes it from the hydrosphere (water) and atmosphere (gases).

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements about petroleum occurrences are correct?

a. The petroleum occurrences in India are associated with anticlines and fault traps in the rock formations of the quaternary age. b. In regions of folding, the oil gets trapped in the downfold of the synclines. c. Petroleum is sometimes found in fault traps between porous and non-porous rocks. d. Limestone or sandstone is the oil bearing layer.

  1. a and b

  2. b and c

  3. c and d

  4. a and d

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

This is the correct answer as both statements are correct. Petroleum is sometimes found in fault traps between porous and non-porous rocks. Limestone or sandstone is the oil bearing layer as these rocks are porous and are surrounded by non-porous rocks.

Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is the best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose any one of the others.

Volcanism occurs on Earth in several geological settings, much of which is associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that makes up the lithosphere.

  1. much of which is associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that makes up the lithosphere.

  2. most of which are associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that make up the lithosphere.

  3. some of which is associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that makes up the lithosphere.

  4. many of which are associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that make up the lithosphere.

  5. much of which are associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that make up the lithosphere.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for (1): 'Settings' is a countable noun, hence 'much' is incorrect and should be substituted by 'many' and a plural verb.

Explanation for (2): This option changes the meaning of the sentence.

Explanation for (3): This option fails to correct the error of adjective usage and also changes the meaning of the sentence.
Explanation for (4): 'Settings' is a countable noun, hence 'much' is incorrect and should be substituted by 'many' and a plural verb. Explanation for (5): 'Settings' is a countable noun, hence 'much' is incorrect and should be substituted by 'many' and a plural verb.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements associated with the Deccan Traps:

  1. From the Cretaceous to the Eocene, intense volcanic activity took place in Peninsular India.
  2. The volcanic lava spread out horizontal sheets, filling the irregularities of the pre-existing topography.
  3. The trap country is characterized by conical hills and extensive flat surfaces. Of these statements:

  1. 1 and 2 are correct

  2. 1, 2 and 3 are correct

  3. 2 and 3 are correct

  4. 1 and 3 are correct
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Deccan Traps were formed by volcanic eruptions between the Cretaceous and Eocene periods, resulting in horizontal lava sheets. While the landscape features flat-topped plateaus and step-like slopes (traps), it is not characterized by conical hills, which are typical of different volcanic or erosional processes.

Multiple choice

Earthquakes along the Himalayas and the foothills are best explained in terms of

  1. plate tectonics

  2. young age of the Himalayas

  3. fragile and largely unconsolidated rocks

  4. divergence of plates

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

The Himalayas are formed by the ongoing collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. This plate tectonic activity causes significant seismic stress, leading to frequent earthquakes along the mountain range and its foothills.

Multiple choice

Moho-discontinuity is found between the

  1. crust and mantle

  2. upper mantle and lower mantle

  3. mantle and core

  4. inner core and outer core
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Mohorovicic discontinuity, commonly called the Moho, is the boundary layer that separates the Earth's crust from the underlying mantle. It is identified by a sharp increase in the velocity of seismic waves.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements regarding earthquakes:

  1. In earthquakes, shocks are generated at a point known as the epicentre
  2. The point of origin of shock may be within the crust or mantle
  3. The more earthquake-prone areas are the margin of tectonic plates Which of the above statements are correct?

  1. 1, 2 and 3

  2. 1 and 2

  3. 1 and 3

  4. 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because the point of origin within the Earth is the focus (hypocenter), while the epicenter is the point on the surface directly above it. Statements 2 and 3 are correct as earthquakes can originate in the crust or upper mantle and are most frequent at tectonic plate boundaries.