Geography · General Awareness

Geology and Earth Structure

1,345 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 one of the following is not a major plate?

  1. India-Australia-New Zealand plate

  2. Arabian plate

  3. Antarctica plate

  4. South American

  5. Africa with the eastern Atlantic floor plate
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Minor plates are:  1) Cocos plate : Between Central America and Pacific plate. (ii) Nazca plate : Between South America and Pacific plate. (iii) Arabian plate : Mostly the Saudi Arabian landmass. (iv) Philippine plate : Between the Asiatic and Pacific plate.

Multiple choice

Seismic waves that vibrate perpendicular to the direction of their path

  1. travel only through the solid part of the earth

  2. travel only through the liquid part of the earth

  3. travel through both solid and liquid parts of the earth

  4. Density of a material does not affect their propagation.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

S-wave, secondary wave or shear wave (sometimes called an elastic S-wave) is one of the two main types of elastic body waves. S-wave moves as a shear or transverse wave, so motion is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. S-waves are like waves in a rope. Unlike P-wave, S-wave cannot travel through the molten outer core of the earth and this causes a shadow zone for S-waves opposite to where they originate.

Multiple choice

Which of the following factors help(s) in the study of the earth’s interior?

  1. Density of the earth
  2. Seismic properties
  3. Analogy from outer space

  1. Only 2

  2. Only 1 and 2

  3. 1, 2 and 3

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

Knowledge of the earth's interior is based on the reactions of seismic waves from earthquakes; the density and state of materials that these seismic waves encounter. Some of this understanding is based on our current understanding of how the earth formed - mainly, how our planet cooled down and formed; how the heavier materials such as metals sunk to the center, etc. Rock that is torn off and expelled by volcanism is studied as another indicator of what lies below the surface. Another clue lies in meteorites that have landed on earth. The study of earth's magnetic field and gravitational properties also indicate or strongly infer what lies deep in earth's interior. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are not correct?

  1. P - waves are the last waves to reach the earth's surface from the interior of the earth.
  2. L - waves are continued to the surface of the earth.
  3. S - waves are transverse in nature, similar to light waves.
  4. P - waves cannot transmit through liquids, which lack rigidity.

  1. Only 1 and 4

  2. Only 4

  3. Only 3 and 4

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

P - waves are the first waves to reach the earth's surface from the interior of the earth. L - waves are one of the types of surface waves. S - waves are transverse in nature, similar to light waves. P - waves can transmit both through solids and liquids.

Multiple choice

Match the following:

List - I List - II
1. Lithosphere A. The lower part of mantle
2. Asthenosphere B. Whole of core
3. Mesosphere C. Slow speed of seismic waves in this zone
4. Barysphere D. Divided into large tags called plates

  1. 1 - C, 2 - D, 3 - A, 4 - B

  2. 1 - D, 2 - C, 3 - A, 4 - B

  3. 1 - D, 2 - C, 3 - B, 4 - A

  4. 1 - C, 2 - D, 3 - B, 4 - A
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
1. Lithosphere D. Divided into large tags called plates 
2. Asthenosphere C. Slow speed of seismic waves in this zone 
3. Mesosphere A. The lower part of mantle
4. Barysphere B. Whole of core

Option 2 is correct.

 

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements about Mantle:

  1. It is separated from crust by Mohorovicic discontinuity.
  2. Thickness of mantle is less than half the radius of the earth.
  3. It contains more than 80% of total volume of the earth.
  4. It is separated from core by Lehman discontinuity.

Which of the given statements are true?

  1. Only 1 and 2

  2. Only 1, 2 and 3

  3. Only 1, 2 and 4

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

Mohorovicic discontinuity separates mantle from crust. Earth's mantle is a rocky shell about 2,900 km thick that constitutes about 84% of Earth's volume. Note: Earth's radius is 6,400 km Lehman discontinuity separates inner core from core.

Multiple choice

Match the following:

1. Epirogenetic A. Horizontal or tangential force
2. Orogenic B. Vertical force
3. Eustatic C. Change in sea level
4. Exogenetic D. Destructive

  1. 1 - A, 2 - B, 3 - C, 4 - D

  2. 1 - B, 2 - A, 3 - C, 4 - D

  3. 1 - A, 2 - B, 3 - D, 4 - C

  4. 1 - B, 2 - A, 3 - D, 4 - C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
1. Epirogenetic B. Vertical force
2. Orogenic A. Horizontal or tangential force
3. Eustatic C. Change in sea level
4. Exogenetic D. Destructive

Epeirogenic forces are vertical forces, wherein the continents either rise or sink under the influence of these forces. Also called continent-building forces. E.g. Subsidence. Orogenic forces are horizontal forces that either push or pull rock strata. Also known as mountain-building forces. E.g. folding. Eustatic sea level changes are due to the glacial-interglacial cycle, with water being tied up in continental ice caps during glacial periods, thereby lowering the sea level, and when the ice caps melt, the water flows into the sea and raises the sea level. Exogenetic forces/agents of erosion are, generally, destructive.

Multiple choice

What causes the seismic activity in the 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. Its horseshoe shape

  2. The tectonic plates in the area

  3. The number of volcanoes

  4. Cannot be determined from the passage

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

The passage says that the tectonic plates are the reason for the many violent earthquakes in the entire area of the pacific.

Multiple choice

What has caused the changes in the area of the Pacific Ring of Fire over thousands of years?

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. Its horseshoe shape is remarkable and has caused the changes over thousands of years.

  2. The seismic activity due to the Pacific plate has caused the changes over thousands of years.

  3. The number of volcanoes is responsible for the changes over thousands of years.

  4. The magma in the volcanoes causes the crust to melt and causes the changes over thousands of years.

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

The passage says that the 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. So, we can say that the seismic activity due to pacific plate has caused the changes.

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.