Geography · Environmental Studies

Oceanography and Hydrology

1,673 Questions

Find relevant questions on oceanography and hydrology that address aquatic ecosystems and physical geography. The topics include coastal landforms, coral reefs, ocean salinity, and tidal patterns. These concepts frequently appear in civil services and state level administrative examinations.

Coral reef structuresCoastal landformsOcean salinity patternsGlacial retreat impactsMangrove ecosystems

Oceanography and Hydrology Questions

Multiple choice landforms of the earth and internal forces general physical geography general knowledge

Which one among the following sequences of water bodies, from lower to higher salinity concentration, is correct?

  1. Gulf of California-Baltic Sea-Red Sea-Arctic Sea

  2. Baltic Sea-Arctic, Sea-Gulf of California-Red Sea

  3. Red Sea-Gulf of California-Arctic Sea-Baltic Sea

  4. Arctic Sea-Gulf of California-Baltic Sea-Red Sea
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Baltic Sea has very low salinity due to freshwater influx. The Arctic Sea also has relatively low salinity. The Gulf of California has higher salinity due to high evaporation, and the Red Sea is one of the most saline bodies of water in the world.

Multiple choice landforms of the earth and internal forces general physical geography general knowledge

Which one of the following factors is responsible for change in the regular direction of the ocean currents in the Indian Ocean?

  1. Indian Ocean is half an ocean

  2. Indian Ocean has Monsoon drift

  3. Indian Ocean is a land-locked ocean

  4. Indian Ocean has greater variation in salinity
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Indian Ocean currents are unique because they reverse direction seasonally due to the influence of the monsoon winds. This phenomenon is known as the Monsoon Drift.

Multiple choice landforms of the earth and internal forces general physical geography general knowledge

Consider the following statements:
I. Ocean currents are large mass of surface water, that circulate in regular patterns around the oceans.
II. The planetary winds are probably the dominant influence on the flow of ocean currents.
III. The water of high salinity are denser than the water of low salinity.
IV. A land mass always obstructs and diverts an ocean current.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. All of these

  2. I, II and III

  3. I and III

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

All statements are correct: I defines currents, II identifies wind as the primary driver, III correctly notes that salinity increases density, and IV identifies that landmasses act as barriers to current flow.

Multiple choice landforms of the earth and internal forces general physical geography general knowledge

The acidification of oceans is increasing. Why is this phenomenon a cause of concern?

1. The growth and survival of calcareous phytoplankton will be adversely affected.
2. The growth and survival of coral reefs will be adversely affected.
3. The survival of some animals that have phytoplanktonic larvae will be adversely affected.
4. The cloud seeding and formation of clouds will be adversely affected.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

  1. 1, 2 and 3

  2. Only 2

  3. 1 and 3

  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Ocean acidification reduces carbonate ion availability, harming calcifying organisms like phytoplankton and corals (1, 2). Larval stages are sensitive to chemical changes (3). Furthermore, reduced phytoplankton productivity can impact dimethyl sulfide production, which is involved in cloud formation (4).

Multiple choice landforms of the earth and internal forces general physical geography general knowledge

Consider the following statements with reference to the continental shelf:
1. It is submerged in water. 
2. Its average depth is 100 fathoms.
3. Its higher percentage is found in the Pacific ocean.
4. It is wider, where high mountains are close and parallel to the coast.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. All of the below

  2. 1, 2 and 3

  3. 1 and 2

  4. Only 1
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The continental shelf is submerged (1) and its average depth is indeed about 100 fathoms (2). Statement 3 is incorrect as the Atlantic has a larger percentage of continental shelves. Statement 4 is incorrect because shelves are generally narrow where mountains are close to the coast.

Multiple choice landforms of the earth and internal forces general physical geography general knowledge

Which of the following factors affects the origin and nature of movement of ocean current?

  1. Gravitational force

  2. Density differences

  3. Direction and shape of coastline

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Ocean currents are influenced by a combination of factors including gravitational forces, density differences (thermohaline circulation), and the physical shape of coastlines which deflects flow.

Multiple choice landforms of the earth and internal forces general physical geography general knowledge

With respect to thermocline, choose the correct statement:
1. Layer in which temperature changes more rapidly than it does in layers above as below.
2. It depends upon season, latitude and turbulent mixing by wind.
3. It may be semi-permanent feature of body of water in which they occur.

  1. 1 only

  2. 1 and 2 only

  3. 3 only

  4. all of them
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The thermocline is a transition layer where temperature drops rapidly with depth. Its depth and intensity are influenced by seasonal changes, latitude, and wind-driven mixing, and it often acts as a semi-permanent feature in the water column.

Multiple choice landforms of the earth and internal forces general physical geography general knowledge

Which of the following statements relating to tsunami is/are correct?
As the tsunamis leave the deep water of the open sea and travel towards shallow water:
1. The speed is reduced considerably.
2. They attain enormous height.
3. They appear as a gentle rise and fall of the sea.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

  1. 1 and 2

  2. 2 and 3

  3. Only 1

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

As tsunamis enter shallow water, their speed decreases due to friction, and their energy is compressed into a smaller volume, causing the wave height to increase significantly. Statement 3 is incorrect because tsunamis are not just gentle rises and falls; they are powerful, destructive surges.

Multiple choice landforms of the earth and internal forces general physical geography general knowledge

The interval between two high tides is approximately _________.

  1. 4 h 12 m

  2. 6 h 13 m

  3. 12 h 26 m

  4. 24 h 52 m
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Earth rotates once in 24 hours, but the moon also orbits the Earth in the same direction. This makes the lunar day about 24 hours and 52 minutes long, resulting in high tides occurring roughly every 12 hours and 26 minutes.

Multiple choice landforms of the earth and internal forces general physical geography general knowledge

On the planet Earth, most of the fresh water exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining fresh water, the largest proportion _____________.

  1. is found in atmosphere as moisture and clouds

  2. is found in freshwater lakes and rivers

  3. exists as groundwater

  4. exists as soil moisture
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

After ice caps and glaciers, the largest reservoir of fresh water on Earth is groundwater, which accounts for a significant portion of the remaining liquid fresh water.

Multiple choice landforms of the earth and internal forces general physical geography general knowledge

Extensive coral formations develop between 30°N and 30°S especially on the sides of the landmasses.

  1. Eastern

  2. Western

  3. Northern

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

Coral reefs are more extensive on the eastern sides of continents in tropical regions because the western sides of ocean basins have cold currents that inhibit coral growth, while the eastern sides have warm currents.

Multiple choice landforms of the earth and internal forces general physical geography general knowledge

Which of the following theory is related to origin of tides.
1. Isostasy theory 
2. Dynamic theory of Laplace
3. Canal theory of G. B. Airy
4. Equilibrium theory of Newton.

  1. 1 and 4

  2. 1 and 3

  3. 2 and 4

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

The Dynamic theory (Laplace), Canal theory (Airy), and Equilibrium theory (Newton) are all classical theories explaining the origin and behavior of tides. Isostasy is related to the Earth's crustal balance, not tides.

Multiple choice landforms of the earth and internal forces general physical geography general knowledge

The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regions where ___________.

  1. warm and cold atmospheric currents meet

  2. rivers drain out large amounts of freshwater into the sea

  3. warm and cold oceanic currents meet

  4. continental shelf is undulating
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The meeting of warm and cold oceanic currents creates ideal conditions for plankton growth, which serves as the primary food source for fish. These convergence zones are the most productive fishing grounds globally.

Multiple choice landforms of the earth and internal forces general physical geography general knowledge

Consider the following statements:
1. Nearly 30% of the petroleum production in the world is from the offshore areas.
2. The exclusive economic zone in the oceans extends upto 100 nautical miles from the coast. 
3. Only less than 1% of marine area is declared as protected area.
4. The largest marine protected area is the Great Barrier Reef.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 2

  2. 1, 3 and 4

  3. 1 and 4

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

Statement 1 is correct as offshore oil production is significant. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extends up to 200 nautical miles, not 100. Statement 3 is correct regarding the small percentage of protected marine areas, and Statement 4 is correct identifying the Great Barrier Reef as the largest.