Natural Hazards and Disasters

A major threat to Taj Mahal is from Mathura oil refinery due to polluting gases like sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and nitrogen oxides.  When moisture gets accumulated in polluted environment, the oxides of sulfur, carbon and nitrogen from weak sulfuric, carbonic and nitric acids which are corrosive of stone, metals, paints and textiles.  Many priceless works of art have suffered more damage in the last 20 years due to increased sulfur-dioxide in the atmosphere.

The Mathura Refinery situated close to the Taj Mahal is a threat to the marble of the Taj Mahal because the Refinery releases the air pollutants in the form of oxides of sulphur, oxides of nitrogen and oxides of carbon. These oxides then react with water and precipiate in the form of nitric acid and sulphuric acid called acid rains. Acid rains have resulted in the corrosion of the marble, making it to appear yellow. Hence, the correct answer is 'Air Pollutants from Mathura Refinery'.

When a population exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment, the available resources become insufficient, often leading to famine.

The Indus valley cities faced a serious threat from annual floods. To overcome this threat Mohenjo-Daro had nine levels of occupation towering over 300 feet above the present flood plain. Excavations reveal that the city was flooded more than seven times. So the houses were built on high plinth.

If trees are cleared, annual rainfall decreases and area becomes dry. Water from the soil is absorbed by the plants. Then, this water evaporates from plants and form clouds. But, if trees are cleared, less water is absorbed from the soil.  It disturbs the water cycle. The formation of clouds becomes difficult. So, it leads to reduced rainfall and area becomes dry.

Drought and floods both are the natural disasters in which there is the extreme scarcity of water due to the absence of rainfall and floods due to heavy rainfall. Drought results in infertile agricultural lands due to nonavailability of water for crop production. Hence there is no food and water for the organisms in that area that results in either migration of organisms or their death. Flood makes soli saline and erodes the fertile soil that affects the crop production even it damages the flora, fauna and other infrastructure. Thus, the correct answer is option D.

Gravity is the fundamental force that pulls material downslope, acting as the primary driver for all mass wasting events.

Seismic activity on the ocean floor is related to earthquakes and tsunamis, not riverine flooding. Rainfall, storm characteristics, and topography are all primary factors in flood prediction.

Hurricanes and typhoons derive their energy from warm ocean waters. Higher water temperatures provide more heat energy, which fuels the storm's intensity.

Tsunamis are most commonly triggered by underwater earthquakes, which displace large volumes of water and create waves.

Seismology is the study of earthquakes and seismic waves. Seismometers are the instruments used to detect and measure these vibrations.

Famine in the Horn of Africa is frequently exacerbated by the combination of severe, recurring droughts and ongoing political instability or armed conflict.

Heavy monsoon rainfall saturates the soil on hillsides, reducing its stability and leading to mudslides or landslides. These events are common in hilly regions during the rainy season.

Bangladesh is a low-lying deltaic country with many rivers. Because the population is dense and many people live in floodplains near these rivers, flooding causes widespread damage to homes and livelihoods.