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

Mohorovicic discontinuity separates

  1. Core and Mantle

  2. Mantle and asthenosphere

  3. Upper mantle and lower crust

  4. Inner solid core and outer liquid core
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Mohorovicic discontinuity, or Moho, is the boundary between the Earth's crust and the mantle. It is characterized by a significant increase in seismic wave velocity.

Multiple choice

The Gutenberg discontinuity is between

  1. the upper and the mantle

  2. the outer core and the lower mantle

  3. the crust and the mantle

  4. the inner and outer cores
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Gutenberg discontinuity is located at a depth of about 2,900 km, marking the boundary between the Earth's lower mantle and the outer core. It is where seismic S-waves stop traveling, indicating the outer core is liquid.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements regarding Earth's topmost layer:

  1. Transverse earthquake waves move at a speed of 3.5 km/second in that layer.
  2. The specific gravity is 2.7.
  3. It is shallowest under the continents and deepest under the oceans.
  4. Magnesium is present in abundance.

Which of the above statements are correct?

  1. 2 and 3

  2. 1 and 2

  3. 1, 2 and 4

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

The Earth's topmost layer (the continental crust) has a specific gravity of about 2.7 and seismic waves (P-waves) travel through it at roughly 6-7 km/s, though S-waves are slower. Statement 3 is incorrect because the crust is thickest under continents and thinnest under oceans. Statement 4 is incorrect because the continental crust is primarily granitic (rich in silica and aluminum), not magnesium-rich (which is characteristic of the oceanic crust).

Multiple choice

Which of the following gives the constitution of the earth in the correct descending order of layers?

  1. Barysphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere

  2. Hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, barysphere

  3. Atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, barysphere

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Earth's layers are categorized by density and position. The atmosphere is the outermost gaseous layer, followed by the hydrosphere (water), the lithosphere (crust), and the barysphere (core).

Multiple choice

Rift valleys and horsts are the results of

  1. faulting

  2. folding

  3. mass movement

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

Rift valleys and horsts are geological features formed by faulting, which is the fracturing and displacement of rock layers due to tectonic forces.

Multiple choice

Most of the devastating earthquakes are usually caused by

  1. Eustatic movment

  2. Isostatic adjustment

  3. Collision of earth plates

  4. Volcanic eruption
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Earthquakes are primarily caused by the movement and collision of tectonic plates, which release energy stored in the Earth's crust.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the blank with the most appropriate of the given options.

Not only _______ to determine the depth of the ocean floor, but it is also used to locate oil.

  1. we use seismology

  2. is seismology used

  3. seismology is used

  4. seismology blinds usage

  5. we used seismology
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The structure 'Not only... but also' requires inversion of the subject and verb in the first clause. 'Is seismology used' correctly follows this rule.

Multiple choice

What causes an earthquake?

  1. Disturbances in upper side of the earth’s crust

  2. Disturbances deep inside the earth’s crust

  3. Disturbances deep inside the mantle

  4. Disturbances in the innermost part of the core
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Disturbances deep inside the earth's crust cause an earthquake.