UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Environment and Geography MCQs on El Niño Southern Oscillation, CoS-it-FloWS and more (Week 90)

1. It is a climate phenomenon characterised by changes in sea temperatures along the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

2. It does not influence the global atmospheric circulation.

3. ENSO has only two phases – warm (El Niño) and cool (La Niña).

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— With only a few days left in the year, there are enough arguments and statistics to suggest that 2024 may be the warmest year ever recorded, outpacing 2016. One of the factors contributing to this is the absence of La Niña, despite previous predictions.

— El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a climate phenomena that affects sea temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— ENSO influences, alters, and interferes with global atmospheric circulation, which in turn affects global weather patterns. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— ENSO has three phases: warm (El Niño), cool (La Niña), and neutral, occurring in unpredictable cycles of two to seven years. The most recent La Niña occurred in 2020-2023, followed by an El Niño in 2023-24. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— El Nino is defined as above-average sea surface temperatures (SST) in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

— La Nina is defined as cooling of the ocean surface, or below-average sea surface temperatures (SST), in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

Consider the following statements:

1. The Sun emits shortwave radiation or sunlight that passes through the atmosphere and is absorbed by the planet’s surface to warm it.

2. The surface does not reflect sunlight back as infrared radiation (heat), which has a longer wavelength.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— According to a new analysis by the Global Carbon Project, which estimates the world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, India’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the use of fossil fuels are predicted to rise by 4.6% in 2024, the most among major nations.

— Globally, fossil-based CO2 emissions are expected to reach a new high of 37.4 billion tonnes this year, up 0.8% from 2023, according to the analysis. At this rate, there is “a 50% chance that global warming will consistently exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius in about six years”.

— GHGs are gases present in the Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat. The Sun emits shortwave radiation, or sunshine, which passes through the atmosphere and is absorbed by the planet’s surface, warming it. However, some of the sunlight is reflected back by the surface as infrared radiation (heat) with a longer wavelength. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is not correct.

— GHGs like CO2 and methane (CH4), which cannot absorb shortwave radiation, trap infrared light.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

Consider the following countries:

1. Fiji

2. Maldives

3. Solomon islands

4. Tuvalu

How many of the countries given above are highly impacted by the rise in the sea level?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— Low-lying tiny islands such as Fiji, the Maldives, the Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu face some of the most serious dangers from sea level rise, with even a slight increase posing an existential risk.

— However, sea level rise poses a global concern because about 40% of the world’s population lives along the coast, with approximately 900 million living in low-elevation areas.

— Coastal cities and villages around the world are already dealing with coastal erosion, agriculture, and freshwater issues caused by saltwater intrusion and increasingly destructive flooding and storms.

— According to a 2022 study, tropical regions, notably in Asia, will be struck the most, with Bangladesh, India, and China being particularly vulnerable. River deltas, which are large areas where rivers meet the sea and are frequently home to port towns, will be among the most susceptible areas.

— Megacities including Cairo, Lagos, Los Angeles, Mumbai, Buenos Aires, and London are predicted to suffer major consequences.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

The Project CoS-it-FloWS has been launched for the:

1. Periyar

2. Ganga

3. Yamuna

4. Chalakudy

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— For the Periyar and Chalakudy river basins in Kerala, a novel decentralised, community-focused, and impact-based flood forecast and early warning system has been created, marking the beginning of a new disaster management strategy in the nation.

— The Ernakulam District Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) will have access to daily data from 100 rain gauges managed with community participation throughout the Periyar and Chalakudy river basins as part of the recently developed climate information system, which will help with better disaster preparedness. In an emergency, this will assist in making well-informed decisions.

— In the two vital river basins, this collaborative effort greatly improves flood catastrophe preparedness, mitigation, rescue, and rehabilitation, inspiring other susceptible regions of the nation to follow suit.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Source: http://www.downtoearth.org.in)

QUESTION 5

With reference to the cloud chamber, consider the following statements:

1. It will allow scientists to study the seed particles that form cloud droplets or ice particles sustainably.

2. It was launched under the Mission Mausam.

3. The chamber has the conduction properties.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— The government-launched Mission Mausam aspires not just to improve weather forecasting in the country, but also to manage certain weather events, such as rainfall, hail, fog, and, subsequently, lightning strikes. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— A cloud chamber resembles a closed cylindrical or tubular drum into which water vapour, aerosols, and other materials are pumped. A cloud can form inside this chamber when the humidity and temperature are just right.

— The facility in Pune would enable scientists to conduct long-term research on seed particles that create cloud droplets or ice particles. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— With Mission Mausam, India is constructing a cloud chamber with convection qualities in order to research Indian monsoon clouds. Globally, there are just a few convective cloud chambers.

— The objective of establishing a convective cloud chamber is to gain a better understanding of cloud physics under conditions commonly affecting Indian weather systems. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— Cloud physics is the study of cloud behaviour under normal and extreme conditions; intra-particle interactions within a cloud; the formation of rain droplets and ice particles; the influence of moisture added into the atmosphere by cyclones or low pressure systems; and interactions between different cloud layers, among other things.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 89)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 90)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 90)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 89)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 89)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 89)

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