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

_____ refers to the series of processes by which the major features of Earth's crust are formed and changed.

  1. Geomorphism

  2. Isomerism

  3. Diastrophism

  4. Catastrophism

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

Diastrophism is the correct term for the processes that form and change major features of Earth's crust, including folding, faulting, and mountain building. Geomorphism refers to landform study, isomerism is a chemistry concept, and catastrophism is an outdated geological theory.

Multiple choice

The central region of earth is called mantle. Which of the following is a property of mantle?

  1. The mantle is thicker where there is land.

  2. The mantle of earth under the oceans is thinner.

  3. The whole mantle of earth is not in one piece.

  4. The heat coming from the core of earth warms the mantle.

  5. The mantle of the earth is divided into many plates.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as this is a property of the mantle. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following is/are the reason(s) due to which earthquakes occur?

a. Earthquakes occur when the moving plates of earth's crust slide past one another. b. Earthquakes occur when the moving plates of earth's crust collide with one another. c. Earthquakes occur when the moving plates of earth's crust move around very quickly over the mantle.

  1. Only a

  2. Only a and b

  3. Only b

  4. Only b and c

  5. Only c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false?

a. The intensity of an earthquake is expressed on the Richter scale. b. The place inside the earth's crust where the earthquake is generated is called the focus of the earthquake. c. The earthquakes having magnitude lesser than 5 are really destructive earthquakes.

  1. Only a

  2. Only a and b

  3. Only b

  4. Only b and c

  5. Only c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as this statement is false. The earthquakes having magnitude greater than 7 are really destructive earthquakes.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a. The sedimentary rocks, which were accumulated in the geosyncline known as the Tethys, were folded to form the mountain system of western Asia and Himalayas. b. The Himalayan uplift out of the Tethys sea and subsidence of the northern flank of the peninsular plateau resulted in the formation of the large basin that became the northern plains. c. Geologically, the peninsular plateau of the Indian subcontinent is supposed to be one of the most stable land blocks.

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. c only

  4. a and c

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

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

Multiple choice

Directions: A part of the sentence that has been underlined has an error. Select the option that is the most coherent and precise representation of the underlined part.

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

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

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

  3. much 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

'Geological settings' is plural, so the relative pronoun phrase should use 'are', not 'is'. Also, 'most' is correct because we're referring to the majority of settings. Options A, C, and E incorrectly use 'is' with the plural 'most of which/much of which'. Option B uses singular 'much of which is' which doesn't agree with the plural antecedent. Option D correctly uses 'many of which are' to maintain subject-verb agreement with the plural 'settings'.

Multiple choice

Directions: Four parts of the sentences given below have been underlined. Identify the part having an error. If no part has an error, mark (E).

A seismograph records oscillation of the ground (A) caused by seismic waves, vibrations that (B) travel from (C) its points of origin, (D) through the Earth or along its surface. (E) No error

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

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

The correct answer is C because 'its' should be 'their'. The antecedent is 'seismic waves' (plural), so the pronoun must be plural ('their' not 'its'). The possessive pronoun must agree in number with its antecedent.

Multiple choice

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example of

  1. divergent boundary

  2. convergent boundary

  3. spreading boundary

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

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a classic example of a diverent plate boundary where tectonic plates are moving apart. As the plates separate, magma rises to create new oceanic crust, causing seafloor spreading. Convergent boundaries involve plates coming together, transform boundaries involve plates sliding past each other, and 'spreading boundary' is not a standard geological term.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements regarding earthquakes:

  1. In earthquakes, shocks are generated at a point known as the epicentre.
  2. The points of origin of the shocks may be within the crust or the mantle.
  3. The margins of tectonic plates are more earthquake-prone areas.

Which of the above statements are correct?

  1. 1, 2 and 3

  2. 1 and 2 only

  3. 1 and 3 only

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

Statement 1 is incorrect because shocks originate at the hypocenter (focus), not the epicenter. The epicenter is the point on the surface directly above the hypocenter. Statement 2 is correct - earthquake foci can be in the crust or upper mantle. Statement 3 is correct - plate margins are indeed more earthquake-prone.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements are true?

  1. Moderate earthquakes are caused along constructive plate boundaries.
  2. Low magnitude earthquakes are caused along constructive plate boundaries.
  3. Disastrous earthquakes are caused along destructive plate boundaries.
  4. Severe earthquakes are caused along the conservative plate boundaries with the creation of transform faults.

  1. 1 and 2

  2. 1 and 3

  3. 1, 3 and 4

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

Statement 1 is correct - moderate earthquakes do occur along constructive plate boundaries. Statement 3 is correct - disastrous earthquakes are typically caused along destructive (convergent) plate boundaries. Statements 2 and 4 are incorrect as they don't accurately describe the relationship between plate boundary types and earthquake severity.

Multiple choice

When the magma in the mantle reaches the ____, it is called lava.

  1. core

  2. inner portion of earth

  3. crust

  4. mantle

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

Magma is called lava when it reaches the Earth's surface (crust). Magma is the molten rock beneath the surface, while lava is the same material once it erupts and flows on the surface. The core and inner portion are too deep, and mantle is where magma originates.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is not correct regarding earthquakes?

  1. S waves move objects at right angles to their direction of motion.

  2. S waves propagate through liquids.

  3. As the P waves propagate, they move material in a path parallel to the direction of movement.

  4. L waves travel along the surface of the earth's crust.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

S waves (shear waves) can only travel through solid materials and are absorbed by liquids. The statement 'S waves propagate through liquids' is therefore false. P waves (primary waves) can travel through both solids and liquids, moving material parallel to their direction. L waves (surface waves) travel along Earth's surface.

Multiple choice

The first point on the earth to experience an earthquake wave is

  1. hypocentre

  2. epicentre

  3. focus

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

The epicentre is the point on Earth's surface directly above the focus (hypocentre), which is the actual location inside Earth where the earthquake originates. The epicentre is therefore the first point on the surface to experience earthquake waves, not the focus/hypocentre which is underground.