Mains 2022 - GS 1 Model Answers (Geography Questions)

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MAINS 2022 (GS - I)

Model Answers (Geography Questions)
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GS-I (GEOGRAPHY) MODEL ANSWER
Q.4 Describe the characteristics and types of Primary rocks. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
Approach:
Introduction: Definition of Primary rocks
Body:
 Mention the characteristics of Igneous Rocks.
 Mention different types of Primary Rocks.
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements.
Introduction:
Primary rocks or igneous rocks are the rocks whose rock particles or grains are formed for the first
time. They begin the rock cycle and are formed by cooling and solidification of magma (molten rock
below the surface) and lava (molten rock above the surface). Granite and basalt are some of the
examples of igneous rocks.
Characteristics of Primary or Igneous Rocks

 Composition: The basic structure of igneous rocks is that of magma which is mainly
composed of silica and magnesium elements.
 Variant size and forms: There rocks vary greatly in the size, form and texture of grains
because these properties largely depend upon the rate and place of cooling and solidification
of magmas.
 Less water percolation: Igneous rocks are roughly hard rocks and water percolates with
great difficulty along the joints.
 Effect of Weathering: The coarse grained igneous rocks are affected by mechanical or
physical weathering and are easily disintegrated and decomposed.
 Absence of Fossils: Since igneous rocks developed when there was no life on the freshly
formed earth and because very hot, molten materials killed fossils due to their extremely high
temperatures, igneous rocks do not contain any fossils.
 Hard and resistant rocks: Most igneous rocks are extremely hard and resistant thereby
quarried for road making and polished as monuments.
 Inputs for sedimentary rocks: Igneous rocks are the major inputs for metamorphism and
sedimentary rock formation.
 Layers of lava: Unlike sedimentary rocks there is no strata in igneous rocks, rather there are
layers of lavas. Example include lava layers near Khandala or along the deeply enterenched
valleys of the Koyna river.
 Volcanic Rocks: Mostly associated with the volcanic activities and thus they are also called
as volcanic rocks that are generally found in the volcanic zones.
Types of Primary Rocks- On the basis of location

 Intrusive Igneous Rocks: It is formed when hot and molten magma gets solidified below the
surface of the earth. For example, Graniteis best representative example of this category.
o Plutonic Intrusive Igneous Rocks: These are formed due to the cooling of magma very
deep inside the earth.
o Hypobyssal Intrusive Igneous Rocks: Formed due to cooling and solidification of rising
magma during volcanic activity in the cracks and hollow spaces just below the earth’s
surface. Major forms of these rocks are Laccoliths, Phacoliths, Lopoliths, Batholiths,
Sills, Dykes, etc.
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 Extrusive Igneous Rocks: The igneous rocks formed due to cooling and solidification of
hot and molten lavas at the earth’s surface are called extrusive igneous rocks.
 Example: Basalt, Gabbro and obsidian, breccia, tuff and pegmatite etc.
Types of Primary rocks- On the basis of chemical composition

 Acidic Igneous rocks: These contain a high proportion of silica and are lighter in colour than
basic rocks. It is less dense.
o Examples: Quartz and rhyolite are rich in silica and contain the minerals quartz, feldspar
and biotite
 Basic Igneous rocks: These contain low proportions of silica and are dark in colour and
denser than acid igneous rocks. Due to low silica content, the parent material cools slowly,
causing them to flow and spread out across a large area, giving rise to plateaus.
o Examples- Rocks such as gabbro, dolerite, and basalt are low in silica and contain the
minerals such as olivine, pyroxene, feldspar, and quartz.
Conclusion
Therefore, it may be concluded that there are significant differences in igneous rocks chemical and
mineralogical properties, grain size and shape, and mode of genesis. They are of great economic
importance as they have presence of magnetic iron, copper, lead, zinc, gold and other minerals.
Q.5 Discuss the meaning of color-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by
IMD. (10 Marks, 150 Words)
Approach:
Introduction: Brief about Color Coded weather warnings.
Body:
 Discuss the meanings of different colors in warning system.
Conclusion: Conclude appropriately.
Introduction:
Cyclones in India has become a perennial phenomenon which creates havoc and create huge loss for
people living in nearby areas. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issues colour-coded
warnings to alert the people and administrators to keep ready and position their resources to handle
early the effects of cyclones.
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Color-Coded weather Warnings for cyclones:

 Four colour-coded warnings: The IMD has four colour-coded warnings as per the intensity
of any weather system i.e. green, yellow, orange and the last one being red.
 No Warning
o Green (Pre-Cyclone Watch): No severe weather expected and no advisories issued.
 Be Updated
o Yellow (Cyclone Alert): It indicates severely bad weather spanning across several
days.
 Be Prepared
o Orange/Amber (Cyclone Warning): It is issued as a warning of extremely bad
weather with the potential of disruption in commute with road and rail closures, and
interruption of power supply etc.
 Take Action
o Red (Post Landfall Outlook): Remain extra vigilant and be prepared for
extraordinary measures and follow orders given by the authorities
 How is the colour decided- A special matrix is followed to decide the colour of weather
situations. It is based on the “probability of occurrence of the event as well as its impact
assessment”. The decision of the colour also depends on the meteorological factors,
hydrological factors, geophysical factors that indicate the risk.
The cyclone warnings are issued to state government officials in four stages:
 The First Stage (Pre Cyclone Watch): Issued 72 hours in advance contains early warning
about the development of a cyclonic disturbance in the north Indian Ocean, its likely
intensification into a tropical cyclone and the coastal belt likely to experience adverse
weather.
 The Second Stage (Cyclone Alert): Issued at least 48 hrs in advance of the expected
commencement of adverse weather over the coastal areas. It contains information on the
location and intensity of the storm likely direction of its movement, intensification, advice to
fishermen, general public, media and disaster managers.
 The Third Stage (Cyclone warning): Issued at least 24 hours in advance of the expected
commencement of adverse weather over the coastal areas.
 The Fourth Stage (Post landfall outlook): Issued least 12 hours in advance of expected
time of landfall.
Conclusion:
These alerts are universal and are not used exhaustively for cyclones but for a range of natural
calamities including floods, heavy rainfall, snowstorms and other dangerous weather events.
Q.6 Discuss the natural resource potentials of “Deccan Trap”. (10 Marks)
Approach:
Introduction: Briefly describe about Deccan Trap.
Body:
 Mention the natural resource potential.
 Briefly mention the issues in Deccan Trap.
Conclusion: Significance of Deccan Trap for India.
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Introduction:
Deccan trap is a large igneous area of West Central India. It extends over the states of Maharashtra,
Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. This region is formed of basaltic rocks formed
by volcanic activity. It is one of the largest volcanic flood blast region of west-central part of India.
Natural Resource Potentials of Deccan Trap

 Minerals deposit: It is rich in both the metallic and nonmetallic minerals like Iron,
Magnesium, Copper, asbestos, cromites, mica and Bauxite etc. are found in abundance in this
physiographic region.
 Fertile black soil: A substantial part of the Peninsular India is covered by Black Earth (regur
soil). The regur soil is conducive for the successful cultivation of cotton, millets, maize,
pulses, orange and citrus fruits.
 Forest products: Apart from teal, sal wood and other forest products, the forests of Western
and Eastern Ghats are rich in medicinal plants and are home to many wild animals.
 Hydroelectricity potential: It has rivers like Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri flowing through
it. These rivers have great hydrological potential. Dams can be built on these rivers to
produce electricity.
 Oil resources: ONGC has found oil and gas at some location in Deccan trap regions of
Gujarat (Ankleshwar and Halisa oilfields).
 Wind and Solar Energy: The region has highest potential for wind energy near Sahayadri
hills and solar energy.
 Tourism: Topography blessed with hills, mountains, rivers provide great aesthetic value to
the peninsular plateau. Famous tourist centers like Panchmarhi, Ooty, etc. are located on
plateau.
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Issues [Students: The below part should be written in smart art format]
 Increasing population and urbanisation
 Depleting resources - forest, water, land, etc.
 Presence of eco-sensitive zone thus tapping full economic potential is not possible.
 Practice of non-agro climatic cultivation
 Unequal development: Marathwada and Vidarbha Region are more backward.
Conclusion:
Despite challenges the Deccan trap region is the most developed region of India and still holds huge
potential for further development to ultimately help achieve the goal of $5 trillion dollar economy.
Q.7 Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited
spatial spread. (10 Marks)
Approach:
Introduction: Some factual data about wind energy in India.
Body:
 Mention the wind energy potential in India.
 Examine reasons for limited spread.
Conclusion: Significance of tapping wind energy potential.
Introduction:
India with a total wind power
capacity of about 48 GW, has the 4th
largest wind power capacity in the
world. As per recent study by
National institute of wind energy
(NIWE) has shown wind energy
potential of 302 GW at 100 m hub-
height in India.
Potential of Wind Energy in India:

 Long coastline: As per
Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy, the
peninsular and islands of
India with a coastline of
almost 7500 km, can generate
127 GW of wind energy.
 Potential states: Gujarat has
highest Wind Energy
potential, followed by
Rajasthan, Maharashtra,
Tamil Nadu, Madhya
Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra
Pradesh.
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 Offshore wind energy: Offshore wind mills can be installed in Bay of Bengal and Arabian
Sea. As per Global wind report, 2022, India can generate 127 GW of offshore wind energy.
 Manufacturing base: India has a strong wind power equipment manufacturing base.
 Government target: It has set an ambitious target of 175GW power capacity from clean
renewable energy resources by 2022. Out of this, 60 GW target is set for the wind power.
Reasons for limited spatial spread of Wind Energy:

 Topography: The topography of India varies from region to region. The ideal locations for
wind farms are not available everywhere.
 High initial costs: Initial investment on the wind energy projects is quite high and a risk
factor is always involved.
 Economic competitiveness: The wind power has high per unit price when compared to
conventional generation.
 Issues with land acquisition: In fertile areas, land acquisition for wind farms is an issue
which results in limited spatial spread.
 Technical: Lack of infrastructure and infrastructure to carry out R&D, majorly based on
European technology.
 Offshore wind turbines: They require more robust foundation and structure than onshore
wind farms. Thus, further increasing the cost of installation.
 Lack of policy support: Policies related to wind energy being still in the transition phase.
There is a ceiling of tariff imposed on every auction. Winds being region-specific, achieving
the particular tariff rate becomes difficult.
 Manufacturing issues: Offshore wind farms typically have larger turbines and longer
windmill blades. But most firms in India do not yet make such high capacity machines which
limits the spread of wind energy.
 Vulnerability to cyclones: The east coast of India is highly prone to cyclonic activities as
well as tsunami, which can cause significant irreparable damage to onshore as well as
offshore wind turbines.
The government has come up with following initiatives to overcome some challenges:
 National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy (2018)
o Its objective is to provide a framework for promotion of large grid connected wind-solar
PV hybrid systems for optimal and efficient utilisation of wind and solar resources,
transmission infrastructure and land.
 National Offshore Wind Energy Policy (2015):
o To develop the offshore wind energy in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
along the Indian coastline of 7,516.6 km.
Conclusion:
Wind energy though costly as compared to some other renewable sources of energy, can help in
achieving SDG 7 (Energy for all) especially for people living in mountainous areas, also help
achieve INDC goals by reducing carbon footprint.
UPSC CSE MAINS 2022
Q.14 What are the forces that influence Ocean Currents? Describe their role in fishing
industry of the world. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
Approach:
Introduction: Define Ocean Currents.
Body:
 Discuss the forces that influence Ocean Currents.
 Discuss the role of Ocean Currents in fishing industry of the world.
Introduction:
The general movement of a mass of ocean water in a definite direction is called ocean current, which
is more or less similar to water streams (rivers) draining on the land surface on the earth.
Forces that influence Ocean Currents:

 Primary Forces
 Planetary winds: Planetary winds are permanent winds that blow from one pressure belt to
the other. They are probably the dominant influence on the flow of ocean currents.
 Insolation: Heating by solar energy causes the water to expand. That is why, near the equator
the ocean water is about 8 cm higher in level than in the middle latitudes. This causes a very
slight gradient and water tends to flow down the slope.
 Atmospheric Circulation: Wind blowing on the surface of the ocean pushes the water to move.
Friction between the wind and the water surface affects movement of the water body in its course.
 Ex: Monsoon winds are responsible for the seasonal reversal of ocean currents in the
Indian ocean.
 Gravity: Gravity tends to pull the water down to pile and create gradient variation.
 Coriolis force: The Coriolis force intervenes and causes the water to move to the right in the
northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere.
 Secondary Forces
 Density: Differences in water density affect vertical mobility of ocean currents (vertical
currents).
 Salinity: Water with high salinity is denser than water with low salinity and in the same way
cold water is denser than warm water. Denser water tends to sink, while relatively lighter
water tends to rise.
 Temperature: Cold-water ocean currents occur when the cold water at the poles sinks and
slowly moves towards the equator whereas warm-water currents travel out from the equator
along the surface, flowing towards the poles to replace the sinking cold water.
 Land masses: When the moving ocean currents hit the land masses like continents they
change their direction depending upon the shape of continent or island.
Role of Ocean Currents in fishing industry of the world:

 Mixing of Water: Mixing of cold and warm ocean currents bear richest fishing grounds in
the world.
o Ex: Grand Banks around Newfoundland, Canada and North-Eastern Coast of Japan.
 Growth of Planktons: The mixing of warm and cold currents helps to replenish the oxygen
and favour the growth of planktons, the primary food for fish population.
o Ex: Gulf Stream carries planktons from Mexican Gulf to the coasts of Newfoundland and
north-western Europe.
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 Helping the Fisherman to Ship: Current also help the fisherman to ship and make the ship
goes faster to the open ocean rather than sailing without the help of the ocean current.
 Identification of Fish location: Currents help us knowing the fish habit such as salmon.
During the breeding time they will swim and goes somewhere which is against the current.
 Provides Nutrient Balance: With the existence of currents, the decomposed nutrient can be
distributed equally in the ocean. So the living beings in the ocean can get the nutrient and stay alive.
 Fishing Route: Studying about the ocean current also help us to know the fishing route.
 Salinity Balance: Just like its function to distribute oxygen and nutrition equally, ocean
currents also having a role in balancing the salinity of ocean water. A place that is too salty
will have no living beings on it.
 Plants Distribution: Ocean Current help the seed of the plants to be distributed widely and
when there is a plant there will be a life and fish to catch.
Conclusion:
The marine fishery potential in the Indian waters have been estimated at 5.31 MMT constituting
about 43.3% demersal, 49.5% pelagic and 4.3% oceanic groups.
Q.15 Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major
environmental issues faced by them. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
Approach:
Introduction: Contextual introduction.
Body:
 Describe the distribution of rubber producing countries.
 Discuss the major environmental issues faced by rubber producing countries.
Introduction:
Asia is the largest producer of rubber in the world that produces about 91 per cent of the world
production, followed by Africa, which produces 6 per cent.
Distribution of Rubber Producing Countries:
 Thailand: Thailand now ranks first in global rubber output and produced 3.09 million metric
tons of rubber – 31 per cent of global total.
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 Indonesia: Adaptation of rubber trees to the local tropical climate, zeal of the local people and
cheap labour availability helped Indonesia to prosper and secured second position in world rubber
production. Most of the rubber plantations are confined to Java, Sumatra and Borneo islands.
 Malaysia: Rubber is grown mainly on the western side of the peninsula and to a lesser extent or
the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and in scattered areas of East Malaysia.
 The rubber plantations in Malaysia have been developed because of suitable climate, government
patronage, expansion of rubber-growing areas, new presentation, cheap local, Indian and Chinese
labour force, easy transportation facilities, etc.
 India: Rubber plantation was started in 1880 in South India. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the main rubber producers.
 West African Producers: Liberia, with its large American-owned Firestone estates and process-
ing factories, was for many years the largest producer in West Africa.
 Other Countries: Sri Lanka, China, Philippines and Cambodia, Nigeria, Kenya, Liberia, Zaire
and Ivory Coast, Brazil also produce rubber.
Environmental Issues Caused by the Rubber Industry:

 Release of Sulphates: The effluent from latex concentrate factories contains high levels of
sulphate, which originate from sulfuric acid used in the coagulation process.
 Example- Most latex factories in Thailand don’t have waste management systems to
deal with all the compounds.
 Odour: Odours like hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, and amines produced by many wastewater
treatment processes.
 Production of Carcinogenic Gases: Basic Polymer and ingredients used for making
rubber products, either individually or after combinations make some carcinogenic gases
and fumes during mixing, vulcanization process and even during storage.
 Discharge of Waste Water: The wastewater discharged from the latex processing usually
contains high levels of BOD, COD, and SS.
 Leaching of chemicals: During the manufacturing and storage of rubber products, various
gases, vapours, fumes and aerosols are emitted due to the leaching out of chemicals and also
during vulcanization that occurs at high temperatures.
 Example: Plasticizers, antioxidants and residual monomers or polymer oligomers, as
well as primary and secondary reaction products from the cross linking systems.
Conclusion:
To avoid and minimize the pollution, there is need of proper storage, processing techniques,
proper knowledge of chemicals, manpower training, proper selection of material, and developing
the new techniques and methods for scrap disposal and reuse of scrap.
Q.16 Mention the significance of straits and isthmus in international trade. (15 Marks)
Approach:
Introduction: Define straits and isthmus with example.
Body:
 Mention their significance with examples.
Conclusion: Conclude by relevant statements
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Introduction:
A strait is a narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water. For Example, the Strait
of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf and a part of the Arabian Sea called the Gulf of Oman.
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land that connects two larger landmasses and separates two bodies of
water. For example, The Isthmus of Panama in Panama links the continents of North and South
America, and separates the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Significance of Straits and Isthmus in international trade

 Shipping channels: The Strait of Malacca serves as the main shipping channel between the
Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is one of the most important shipping lanes in the
world.
 Goods and Petroleum transport: Major pathways for the transport of natural gas, heavy
engineering goods, bulk minerals, etc.
o Example: Strait of Hormuz- About 20 percent of the world petroleum traded via sea
route is transported through strait of Hormuz.
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 Transit point for merchant ships: They provide good amount of revenue to the sovereign
nations having control over the straits.
o Example: Egypt earns around $6 billion dollars every year from tolls collected from
transiting ships.
 Ease travel for ships: The Panama Canal stretches 77 kilometers across the isthmus, and
allows cargo ships to travel from eastern North America to western North America without
having to go around South America.
 Connects continents: Isthmus of Suez in eastern Egypt connects the continents of Africa and
Asia, and separates the Mediterranean and Red Seas.
 Natural sites for ports: Isthmus are natural sites for ports and canals linking terrestrial and
aquatic trade routes.
 Oil shipments: Kra Isthmus Canal provide an alternative to transit through the Straits of
Malacca and shorten transit for shipments of oil to Japan and China by 1,200 km.
 Communication: The Isthmus of Panama links the continents of North and South America,
and separates the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Conclusion:
Straits do not have just economic significance but also strategic military importance, as they are the
major choke points of the world. Thus in order to ensure free movement of shipping vessels many
nations have their military bases near the choke points of these straits like in Djibouti at Bab al-
Mandeb strait.
Q.17 Troposphere is very significant atmospheric layer that determines weather processes.
How? (15 Marks)
Approach:
Introduction: Briefly write on troposphere.
Body:
 Explain weather processes occurring in troposphere.
 Give brief about impact of global warming on troposphere.
Conclusion: Significance of troposphere.
Introduction:
The troposphere is the region within the atmosphere between the earth's surface and the tropopause
that is centred at an altitude of about 8-15 kilometres. This region is characterized by decreasing
temperature with increasing altitude.
Significance of Troposphere in determining Weather processes:

 Rainfall: Almost all the weather phenomena like rainfall, fog and hailstorm etc. are confined
to this layer
 Formation of Smog: Smog also forms in this layer of the atmosphere. This will restrict
visibility and cause irritation of the eyes and throat.
 Hydrologic cycle: The troposphere contains about 85% of the atmosphere‘s total mass.
Tropospheric processes, such as the water or hydrologic cycle (the formation of clouds and
rain) and the greenhouse effect, have a great influence on meteorology and the climate.
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 Onset of Monsoon: The Jet streams though they move in the tropopause have significant on
the weather in the troposphere - helps in onset of monsoon in India, are a cause formation of
polarvortex, etc.
 Other weather phenomenas like cyclones, thunderstorms, tornadoes, anti-cyclones,
monsoon, heatwaves, cold waves, local winds and breezes, etc. also occur in this layer.
Impact of global warming:

Due to rising temperatures in the troposphere mostly due to anthropogenic activities, is forcing the
upper boundary of troposphere to expand upward. This could have a significant impact on the
weather phenomenas like - erratic monsoon, heatwaves as seen temperate regions, increased rate of
glacier melting as seen in northern Pakistan, increased cyclonic activities, etc.
Conclusion:
Thus, the troposphere is an important layer in Earth‘s Atmosphere, as it is the layer that we live in
and the layer that gives us weather setting various agro-climatic zones and providing necessary
resources like food, water, gases (oxygen for humans, most animals; carbon dioxide for plants).
Arresting global warming and protecting our race should be the prime task of every individual to
protect troposphere.
******

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Mains 2022 - GS 1 Model Answers (Geography Questions)

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Highly Exam Relevant Model Answers

MAINS 2022 (GS - I)

Join Telegram Channel- t.me/sunyanotes50

Characteristics of Primary or Igneous Rocks

Types of Primary Rocks- On the basis of location

Types of Primary rocks- On the basis of chemical composition

Color-Coded weather Warnings for cyclones:

Natural Resource Potentials of Deccan Trap

Potential of Wind Energy in India:

Reasons for limited spatial spread of Wind Energy:

Forces that influence Ocean Currents:

Role of Ocean Currents in fishing industry of the world:

Distribution of Rubber Producing Countries:

Environmental Issues Caused by the Rubber Industry:

Significance of Straits and Isthmus in international trade

Significance of Troposphere in determining Weather processes:

Impact of global warming:

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