[Mission 2023] INSIGHTS STATIC QUIZ, 21 July 2022 – Geography

Solution: d)

The troposphere is thicker at the equator than at the poles because the equator is warmer. The convection currents of air expand the thickness of the troposphere (atmosphere). 

Thus, the simple reason is thermal expansion of the atmosphere at the equator and thermal contraction near the poles.

Also, the rotation of the earth causes centrifugal force which is strongest near the equator and pushes the atmosphere to greater heights. 

The thickness of the troposphere also varies with season. The troposphere is thicker in the summer and thinner in the winter all around the planet.

At the poles in winter, the atmosphere is uniformly very cold and the troposphere cannot be distinguished from other layers.

Solution: d)

The location of the thermal equator is not identical to that of the geographic Equator. 

This is not due to the level of insolation received in both hemispheres. They are virtually equal. 

What creates the difference is the distribution of land and water that causes changes in the way heat is distributed and transported across the planets. 

Land dominated areas will tend to have a large variation in temperature and a higher average temperature under the same conditions (as compared to a water dominated area).

Thus, the thermal equator lies a bit north of the geographical equator.

Solution: c)

Generally, metallic minerals are found in igneous and metamorphic rock formations that form large plateaus. Iron-ore in north Sweden, copper and nickel deposits in Ontario, Canada, iron, nickel, chromites and platinum in South Africa are examples of minerals found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Sedimentary rock formations of plains and young fold mountains contain non-metallic minerals like limestone. Limestone deposits of Caucasus region of France, manganese deposits of Georgia and Ukraine and phosphate beds of Algeria are some examples. Mineral fuels such as coal and petroleum are also found in the sedimentary strata.

Solution: c)

Culturable Waste Land: This includes land available for cultivation, whether taken up or not taken up for cultivation once, but not cultivated during the last five years or more in succession including the current year for some reason or the other.

Solution: b)

Coal is a one of the important minerals which is mainly used in the generation of thermal power and smelting of iron ore. Coal occurs in rock sequences mainly of two geological ages, namely Gondwana and tertiary deposits.

About 80 per cent of the coal deposits in India is of bituminous type and is of non-coking grade. 

Jharia Coalfield is a large coal field located in the east of India in Jharia, Jharkhand. Jharia is the largest coal field followed by Raniganj.

Besides, the brown coal or lignite occur in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu (Nyveli), Puducherry, Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir.