Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Researchers at the University of Utah discovered that freshwater saturates the rock and sediment beneath the Great Salt Lake to depths of up to 13,000 feet. The Great Salt Lake is a saline, endorheic lake located in northern Utah, United States, and it is the largest inland saltwater body in the Western Hemisphere. It is fed by the Bear River, Weber River, and Jordan River, but has no outlet, so water leaves primarily through evaporation. The lake’s salinity is higher than that of the oceans due to high evaporation rates and limited inflow, and it exists in an arid environment similar to the Dead Sea.

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A massive avalanche occurred at Zojila Pass, a key high-altitude pass. It is called the “Mountain Pass of Blizzards” and lies on Srinagar–Kargil–Leh highway (NH-1) in the Greater Himalayas. An avalanche is a sudden movement of a large mass of snow down a slope. It is dangerous as it can bury or sweep away everything in its path. Avalanches are more likely on steep slopes without trees or rocks. These natural barriers usually help in holding snow in place.

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Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a strategic narrow waterway amid rising West Asia tensions. It is called the “Gate of Tears” due to frequent historical shipwrecks. It lies at the southern end of the Red Sea, between Yemen and the Horn of Africa. It connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and further to the Indian Ocean. It separates Arabia (Asia) from Africa and links to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.

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A Comptroller and Auditor General of India report highlighted that 518 lakes (74%) in Jammu and Kashmir have disappeared or shrunk, causing ecosystem degradation and climate risks. Hokersar Lake is a high-altitude wetland in Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir, at 1,583 m elevation. Known as the “Queen Wetland of Kashmir,” it is a Ramsar Site (designated 2005). It is connected to the Jhelum River through channels sustaining its ecosystem.

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More than 1,000 Roman artefacts were discovered in Lake Neuchatel, Switzerland, providing insights into life during the Roman Empire. Lake Neuchâtel is the largest lake entirely within Switzerland and lies at the base of the Jura Mountains. It was formed during the last Ice Age (period of extensive glaciation about 15,000 years ago) due to melting glaciers carving valleys. The lake is about 38.3 kilometres (km) long and 8.2 km wide, covering 212.33 square kilometres (sq km).

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The Veli–Akkulam Estuary is located along the coast of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. It is a small, shallow, bar-built estuary forming part of the Kerala backwater system adjoining the Lakshadweep Sea. The estuary is divided by a man-made bund into two parts: Veli (west) and Akkulam (northeast). Its connection to the sea is intermittent, opening mainly during the monsoon through sandbar breaching. It is currently facing degradation due to invasive species, pollution, urban runoff, and encroachment, impacting biodiversity.

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China is deploying ships and barriers to tighten control over the entrance of the Scarborough Shoal. The move has escalated tensions with the Philippines, which also claims the shoal. The Scarborough Shoal is a disputed atoll in the South China Sea claimed by China and the Philippines. It is known as Huangyan Island (China) and Panatag Shoal / Bajo de Masinloc (Philippines). It lies about 220 km west of Luzon (Philippines) and over 800 km southeast of Hong Kong. It is the largest atoll in the South China Sea, covering around 150 sq. km with a shallow lagoon.

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Hussain Sagar Lake is facing severe foul odour due to heavy algal bloom during rising summer temperatures. Algal bloom occurs due to eutrophication, where excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus enter the water. Hussain Sagar Lake is an artificial lake in Hyderabad, built in 1562 AD under Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. It is located on a tributary of the Musi River and is among Asia’s largest man-made lakes. The lake is also called Tank Bund and connects Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

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Underwater archaeologists discovered a hidden ancient city beneath Lake Issyk-Kul in Central Asia. The submerged settlement is estimated to be around 700 years old, indicating a previously unknown civilization. The discovery provides insights into historical trade routes, settlements, and cultural life in the region. Lake Issyk-Kul is located in northeastern Kyrgyzstan and is surrounded by the Tian Shan Mountains. It is an endorheic lake, meaning it has no outflow to seas or rivers. The lake contains blue, slightly saline (brackish) water. It is the second-largest high mountain lake in the world after Lake Titicaca.

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Scientists have reported that light pollution is threatening the dark skies of the Atacama Desert, one of the best locations for astronomy. The desert is known for its extremely clear atmosphere and minimal artificial light, making it ideal for observatories. The Atacama Desert is the driest desert in the world, located in northern Chile. It lies between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The region receives extremely low rainfall, with some areas recording no rain. It is known for its clear, dark skies, making it ideal for astronomical observations. Recent concerns highlight that light pollution is threatening its pristine night skies.