1. Consider the following statements about types of landslides:
- Topples usually occur on very gentle slopes or flat terrain.
- Falls happen due to the forward rotation of a unit under the actions of gravity.
- Topples happen due to the abrupt movements of masses of geologic materials.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] 1, 2 and 3
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [None of the above]
Notes:
None of the statements are correct: Topples usually occur on steep slopes and involve forward rotation about a pivot, not gentle slopes. Falls involve abrupt movements of material detached from steep slopes rather than rotational movement. Topples are not caused by abrupt movement, but by forward rotation. Hence, all statements are incorrect regarding types of landslides.
2. Tsuchinshan-ATLAS was seen in news recently, it is a:
[A] Submarine
[B] Glacier
[C] Comet
[D] Crater
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Comet]
Notes:- Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) was discovered by Purple Mountain Observatory in China and the Asteroid Terrestrical-impact Last Alert System, ATLAS in South Africa.
- The comet is currently between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn, a billion kilometres from Earth.
- It is moving on an orbit that will bring it to within 59 million kilometres of the Sun (perihelion) in September 2024.
- The brightness of the comet could be nearly as bright as Sirius, which is the brightest star in the night sky.
- The brightness of the comet could be nearly as bright as Sirius, which is the brightest star in the night sky.
- Currently, only the most powerful telescopes on the planet can actually observe it, but in September 2024, it could potentially be visible even to the naked eye.
3. Consider the following statements regarding landslides in India:
- The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO in Hyderabad has developed the ‘Landslide Atlas of India’.
- Sikkim has recorded the highest number of landslide events in India over the past 25 years.
- Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand has the highest landslide density in India.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:
Statement 1 is correct as ISRO’s NRSC has indeed developed the ‘Landslide Atlas of India’. Statement 2 is incorrect; Mizoram, not Sikkim, recorded the highest number of landslide events in the last 25 years. Statement 3 is correct since Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand has the highest landslide density among Indian districts.
