UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Environment and Geography MCQs on Ecomark Scheme, tropical cyclone and more (Week 86)

1. A warm sea (a temperature over 26 degrees Celsius to a depth of 60 m)

2. Atmospheric instability

3. The ‘Eye’ of the storm can be circular

4. Cumulus thundercloud

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 4

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

— The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that the existing deep depression will likely intensify into a cyclone by Wednesday, with the storm expected to approach the Tamil Nadu coast within the next two days.

— Once the storm has intensified, it will be known as Fengal, a name proposed by Saudi Arabia. This is the second cyclone of the post-monsoon season to hit the Indian coast, following Cyclone Dana, which passed Odisha as a’severe’ category storm in late October.

— The development cycle of tropical cyclones may be divided into three stages:

(i) Formation and Initial Development Stage

— A warm sea (over 26 degrees Celsius to a depth of 60 metres) with copious and turbulent evaporation of water vapour into the overlying atmosphere.

— Atmospheric instability promotes the production of huge vertical cumulus clouds through convection with rising air above the ocean’s surface.

(ii) Mature Tropical Cyclones

— When a tropical storm intensifies, the air rises in strong thunderstorms and spreads horizontally at the tropopause level. When air spreads out, it creates a positive perturbation pressure at high levels, which accelerates the downward motion of air caused by convection.

— Subsidence induces air warming by compression, resulting in a warm ‘Eye’. The ‘Eye’ of a storm has three main shapes: (i) circular, (ii) concentric, and (iii) elliptical.

— The primary physical feature of a mature tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean is a concentric pattern of highly turbulent gigantic cumulus thunderstorm bands.

(iii) Modification and Decay

— A tropical cyclone’s centre low pressure, interior warmth, and exceptionally fast speeds begin to wane as soon as its source of warm wet air dries up or is abruptly cut off.

— This occurs once it makes landfall or when it crosses across cold waters. The weakening of a cyclone does not indicate that the threat to life and property has passed.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: ndma.gov.in)

QUESTION 2

With reference to the Ecomark Scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It is a binding scheme which promotes the labelling of household and consumer products based on environmental and quality parameters.

2. It is implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

3. The Ecomark Rules, 2024 aligns with existing sustainability and environmentally friendly practices and with the Environment Ministry’s Mission LIFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which promotes sustainable consumption.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— The Union Environment Ministry has notified the Ecomark Rules, 2024, which recast its hallmark scheme for labelling eco-friendly items.

— It was established in 1991 as a voluntary and non-binding initiative to promote the labelling of household and consumer items based on environmental and quality criteria. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— The Rules were notified to ensure that they are consistent with existing sustainability and environmentally friendly practices, as well as the Environment Ministry’s Mission LIFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which encourages sustainable consumption. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— The rules describe the scheme’s conditions, procedures, verification method, and compliance mechanism. It also includes a specific set of criteria that producers must meet in order to be granted the Ecomark.

— The criteria include, among other things, reducing pollution by minimising or eliminating waste and environmental emissions, using recycled materials or producing recyclable products, reducing the use of polluting energy sources, and reducing the use of environmentally hazardous materials.

— The initiative will be carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

Consider the following statements:

1. It is India’s largest saline wetland.

2. Every year, the lake attracts thousands of migratory birds.

3. It is located in the state of Rajasthan.

4. It is designated as a Ramsar Site.

The above mentioned statements refer to:

(a) Sambhar Lake

(b) Rajsamand Lake

(c) Pichhola Lake

(d) Deedwana Lake

Explanation

— Sambhar Lake is India’s largest inland saltwater lake at 230 sq km, spread mostly across Jaipur and Nagaur districts and also a part of Ajmer.

— It has a catchment area of 5,700 square km, with the water depth fluctuating between 60 cm in the dry season to about 3 metres at the end of the monsoon.

— Every year, from November to February, the lake attracts thousands of migratory birds from northern Asia and Siberia, including tens of thousands of flamingos. When the monsoon arrives in July, the lake erupts with delight, accompanied by the chirping of avian species such as coots, black-winged stilts, sandpipers, and redshanks.

— Sambhar Lake has also been classified as a Ramsar Site.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

Mount Erebus was in the news. It is located in:

(a) Antarctica

(b) Philippines

(c) Italy

(d) Australia

Explanation

— Mount Erebus, Antarctica’s tallest active volcano, has made headlines for emitting gold particles.

— The summit crater of Mount Erebus is the world’s southernmost active volcano.

— Mount Erebus is one of numerous volcanoes that compose Ross Island, off the coast of West Antarctica.

— At 3,794 meters (12,450 feet) above sea level, it towers over McMurdo Station, which is only 35 kilometres (22 miles) away.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: earthobservatory.nasa.gov)

QUESTION 5

With reference to the sedimentary rocks, consider the following statements:

1. They are formed from pre-existing rocks or pieces of once-living organisms.

2. These rocks do not form in lakes and oceans.

3. Marble is an example of sedimentary rocks.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

Explanation

— Sedimentary rocks are created from pre-existing rocks or remnants of once-living organisms. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— They arise as deposits collect on the Earth’s surface. Sedimentary rocks frequently exhibit unusual layering or bedding. Many of the magnificent landscapes of the desert southwest feature mesas and arches constructed of layered sedimentary rock.

— Sandstone, limestone, and shale are common sedimentary rocks. These rocks are often formed from sediments carried by rivers and deposited in lakes and oceans. When buried, sediments lose water and get cemented, becoming rock. Marble is an example of metamorphic rocks. Hence, statement 2 and 3 are not correct.

Types of sedimentary rocks

(i) Clastic sedimentary rocks: They are made up of bits (clasts) of previously formed rocks. Weathering loosens pieces of rock, which are subsequently moved to a basin or depression where sediment is trapped.

(ii) Biologic sedimentary rocks: They form when a high number of living organisms die. Chert is an example of this type of rock, and it is one of the ways limestone can be formed. Limestone can also form by precipitating directly from the water.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: http://www.usgs.gov)

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 86)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 86)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 86)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 85)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 85)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 85)

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