Geological Structure of India
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India’s geological tapestry is incredibly diverse, ranging from ancient stable landmasses to young, dynamic mountain systems. Considering this, one of the three major geographical classifications includes areas of extensive flood basalt events. Which geological classification covers almost all of Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh?
Options:
Option: C
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The fascinating history of the Indian Plate tells us it was once a part of the supercontinent Pangaea, initially attached to Madagascar and Southern Africa. Rifting during the Jurassic Period caused Pangaea to break apart. Which ancient supercontinent did the Indian Craton remain attached to after Pangaea’s initial rifting?
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Option: A
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The Indian subcontinent hosts 26 sedimentary basins, covering a vast area of 3.4 million square kilometers across onland, shallow water, and deepwater zones. These basins are critically important for energy resources. What percentage of India’s total sedimentary area is located in the deepwater region?
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Option: D
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The geological evolution of India began with the cooling and solidification of the Earth’s upper crust in the Archaean Era, over 2.5 billion years ago. This ancient foundation is predominantly found in the Peninsula, forming the core of the Indian Craton. Which geological feature is a remnant of an early Proterozoic orogen that joined two older segments of the Indian Craton?
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Option: B
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Sedimentary basins in India are classified into three categories based on the maturity of their hydrocarbon resources. Category-III basins hold “prospective resources” awaiting discovery, indicating they are less explored but hold future potential. Which of the following basins belongs to Category-III for conventional resources?
Options:
Option: C
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The Indian Plate has a remarkable history of movement, detaching from Madagascar approximately 90 million years ago and drifting rapidly northward. This intense tectonic activity has profound effects, including ongoing deformation of continents. Which current geological event is causing parts of the Asian continent to deform westward and eastward on either side of the orogen?
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Option: A
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Earthquakes are a significant geological hazard in India, with a history of devastating events. The Indian Plate’s continuous movement into Asia is the primary driver of this seismic activity. What approximate rate, in millimeters per year, is the Indian Plate currently driving into Asia, making the region highly vulnerable to earthquakes?
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Option: D
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The Himalayas, a magnificent result of immense mountain-building forces, stretch over 2400 km and are crucial for the world’s fresh water supply. They are tectonically divided into several parallel zones from south to north. Which zone is located directly south of the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT)?
Options:
Option: B
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India’s rich mineral resources are unevenly distributed across the country, largely due to variations in geological structure, processes, and time involved in their formation. One significant belt is known for over 97% of its coal reserves, located in prominent river valleys. Which major mineral belt covers Chotanagpur, Orissa Plateau, West Bengal, and parts of Chhattisgarh?
Options:
Option: C
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Indian Plate’s collision with the Eurasian Plate is a continuous process that forms the Himalayas, influencing seismic activity across a wide region. Geologists have recently made a surprising new discovery about the Indian Plate’s behavior, suggesting it is undergoing a process where its dense lower part detaches and sinks. What is this phenomenon called?
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Option: A
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The geology of India includes major rock groups, with the Precambrian super-eon representing the oldest rocks. A considerable area of Peninsular India, known as the Indian Shield, is composed of Archean gneisses and schists from this era. These Precambrian rocks are broadly classified into two main systems. Which system of Precambrian rocks is primarily sedimentary in origin and occurs in narrow elongated synclines?
Options:
Option: B
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The Deccan Traps, a massive flood basalt event, covered over 500,000 square kilometers near the end of the Cretaceous period. These extensive lava flows are not just geological wonders but also have economic significance. What valuable characteristic do these rocks offer, making them suitable for agriculture?
Options:
Option: D
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Sedimentary basins in India are dynamic, with a Category-III basin capable of being upgraded to Category-II if a discovery is made. This indicates active exploration and potential for new hydrocarbon production. Which recent instance saw a Category-III basin being upgraded due to a discovery?
Options:
Option: C
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The Aravalli Range holds immense geological significance as one of the Earth’s oldest mountain ranges, with its origins tracing back to the Proterozoic era. This ancient range has played a crucial role in connecting two stable parts of the Earth’s crust. Which two ancient segments of the Earth’s crust are connected by the Aravalli Range?
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Option: A
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The Himalayan orogeny, a continuous process since the early Tertiary period, is responsible for creating the world’s highest peaks. This ongoing mountain-building event started with a specific phase in the early Tertiary. What was the name of the first phase of the Himalayan orogeny?
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Option: B
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Iron ore is a fundamental mineral for industrial development, and India possesses substantial reserves. There are two primary types of iron ore found in the country, differing in their iron content and magnetic qualities. Which type of iron ore is known for its excellent magnetic qualities and a very high iron content of up to 70%?
Options:
Option: C
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The geology of the Himalayas is a direct consequence of the collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. From south to north, the Himalayas are divided into four parallel tectonostratigraphic zones separated by major thrust faults. Which major fault separates the Subhimalaya Zone (Sivaliks) from the Lesser Himalaya?
Options:
Option: D
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Tertiary period in India’s geological history saw the continuation of volcanism associated with the Deccan Traps and the commencement of the Himalayan orogeny. Rocks from this era are economically significant. Which valuable deposits are found in the rocks of the Tertiary era, particularly oil in association with Nummulitic limestone in the Khasi hills of Assam?
Options:
Option: A
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India’s sedimentary basins are categorized based on their hydrocarbon resource maturity. Category-II basins have “contingent resources” pending commercial production, indicating a moderate level of appraisal and potential. Which of these five basins falls under Category-II?
Options:
Option: B
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Aravalli Range, an ancient geological feature, plays a vital role in India’s environment, particularly in influencing weather patterns and preventing desert encroachment. Its forested patches act as green lungs and prevent soil erosion. Which Indian desert has the Aravalli hills effectively prevented from encroaching further towards Haryana, eastern Rajasthan, and the Indo-Gangetic plains?
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Option: D