Geological Structure of India
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India’s sedimentary basins are dynamically categorized, allowing for upgrades based on discoveries. A Category II basin can be upgraded to Category I if discoveries are developed for commercial production. Which two basins are mentioned as potential next candidates for upgrading from Category II to Category I, due to approved Field Development Plans (FDPs)?
Options:
Option: C
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The geological structure of India includes the Gondwana sediments, a unique sequence of fluviatile rocks. These rocks provide valuable insights into Earth’s ancient environments and are found in specific river valleys and hill regions. Which river valleys and hills in eastern India contain a record of the Gondwana rocks?
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Option: A
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Lesser Himalaya (LH) tectonic plate, a significant subdivision of the Himalayan orogen, is characterized by detrital sediments from the passive Indian margin. Within this unit, ancient igneous intrusions are found. What is the approximate age of the granites and acid volcanics intercalated with the sediments of the Lesser Himalaya?
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Option: B
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Indian Plate’s delamination, a recently discovered geophysical phenomenon, is a groundbreaking discovery with significant implications for earthquake activity. This phenomenon suggests that tectonic plates can behave in previously unknown ways. What kind of data was analyzed in Tibetan springs, along with earthquake waves, to uncover this vertical tear in the Indian Plate?
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Option: D
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Aravalli Range is not only ancient but also ecologically vital, serving as a watershed and a defense against environmental degradation. The Ministry of Environment and Forest has implemented regulations to protect this range. What is one major adverse consequence that the Aravalli Range faces due to threats like deforestation and mining?
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Option: B
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Precambrian super-eon in India is represented by the oldest rocks, classified into the Dharwar system and the Archaean system. The Dharwar system rocks are primarily sedimentary and are significant for their mineral content. Which two metals are extensively mineralized in these Dharwar system rocks, representing significant resources?
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Option: A
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India’s sedimentary basins cover a total area of 3.4 million square kilometers, spread across onland, shallow water, and deepwater regions. These basins are classified tectonically based on their origin. How many sedimentary basins are entirely located offshore in India?
Options:
Option: C
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The geology of the Himalayas involves major tectonic subdivisions, with the Indus Suture Zone (ISZ) representing the collision boundary. This zone contains relics of past volcanic activity. Which component of the Indus Suture Zone consists of relicts of a Late Cretaceous to Late Jurassic volcanic island arc, including basalts and dacites?
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Option: A
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The Sub-Himalayan Range is a critical part of the Himalayan orogen, thrust over the Quaternary alluvium. This geological interaction indicates the ongoing activity of the mountain range. Which specific thrust fault is responsible for the Sub-Himalayan Range being pushed over the Quaternary alluvium deposited by Himalayan rivers?
Options:
Option: D
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Cenozoic era in India includes the Tertiary and Quaternary periods, with the Tertiary period being notable for significant geological events and resource formation. The Siwalik molasse, found along the foothills of the Himalayas, is a thick sequence of sediments from this period. What is the approximate thickness range of the Siwalik molasse, composed of sandstones, conglomerates, and shales?
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Option: B
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India’s mineral resources are concentrated in distinct geographical belts. The North-Western Region is known for its non-ferrous minerals and building stones. Which of the following non-ferrous minerals are found in Rajasthan, a state within this belt?
Options:
Option: C
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The Indian Plate’s collision with Eurasia has profound implications, leading to the formation of the Tibetan Plateau. The term “Greater India” refers to the Indian Plate plus a postulated northern extension that subducted or pressed against Eurasia. This compression led to a specific geological outcome. What became the Tibetan Plateau as a result of this compression and thickening of the formerly coastal region’s crust?
Options:
Option: A
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The Indian Plate’s journey northwards, after breaking off from Gondwana, was remarkably fast. It is believed to have started colliding with Asia as early as 55 million years ago. What was the approximate speed of the Indian plate’s northward movement, in centimeters per year, after splitting from Madagascar?
Options:
Option: D
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Lower Paleozoic rocks in the Himalayas and the Salt Range offer a glimpse into ancient marine conditions. In the Salt Range, the stratigraphy progresses through several zones. Which zone, with a thickness of 250 feet to 400 feet, is unfossiliferous and shows sun-cracks and worm burrows typical of subaerial weathering?
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Option: B
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India’s Sedimentary Basins are classified based on the maturity of their hydrocarbon resources. Category-III basins, holding “prospective resources,” cover a significant portion of the total basinal area. What percentage of the total basinal area do these fourteen Category-III basins cover?
Options:
Option: C
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Cenozoic era’s Tertiary period saw the formation of the Siwalik molasse, rich in vertebrate fauna, including fossil hominoids. These significant deposits offer insights into ancient life forms. What is the geological age range of the Siwalik molasse along the foothills of the Himalayas?
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Option: A
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Tethys Himalaya, a wide synclinorium, preserves an almost complete stratigraphic record from the Upper Proterozoic to the Eocene. Stratigraphic analysis of these sediments is invaluable for understanding the geological history of the Indian subcontinent. What kind of indications do these sediments yield regarding the northern continental margin of the Indian subcontinent?
Options:
Option: A
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Aravalli Range, although ancient and largely worn down, still contributes significantly to the regional hydrology. It serves as a source for several important rivers and their main tributaries. Which of these rivers, flowing in the Rann of Kutch region, originates from the Aravalli range?
Options:
Option: B
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The geology of India is exceptionally diverse, with rocks dating back to the Eoarchean Era. Some regions are heavily deformed, while others have recently deposited alluvium. What broad categories can India’s geographical land area be classified into, according to the source?
Options:
Option: D
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Indus Suture Zone defines the collision boundary between the Indian Plate and the Ladakh Batholith. This zone is also associated with an active margin, similar to the Andes. What caused the widespread volcanism in this volcanic arc, associated with the Transhimalaya or Ladakh Batholith?
Options:
Option: A