Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Mount Uturuncu volcano in Bolivia has recently drawn scientific attention after researchers detected fresh batches of hot magma rising from deep underground, raising concerns about possible volcanic activity in the future. Mount Uturuncu is a dormant stratovolcano located in the Andes Mountains of southwestern Bolivia. It is known as a “zombie volcano” because it shows signs of activity despite being considered dormant. Beneath the volcano lies the massive Altiplano-Puna Magma Body, one of the largest active magma reservoirs in Earth’s crust. The volcano displays a unique “sombrero” pattern where the central region rises while surrounding land subsides.

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A recent submarine volcanic eruption in the Bismarck Sea has highlighted the limited mapping of Earth’s deep ocean floor. The Bismarck Sea is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean near the northeast coast of Papua New Guinea. It is surrounded by the Bismarck Archipelago, including the Admiralty Islands, New Ireland, and New Britain. The sea connects to the Pacific Ocean and the Solomon Sea through the Vitiaz and Dampier Straits and St. George’s Channel.

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Kopra Reservoir has emerged as a national biodiversity model reflecting the 2026 International Day for Biological Diversity theme — “Local Action, Global Impact.” It is the first Ramsar Site in Chhattisgarh. The reservoir serves as an important wetland ecosystem and supports regional communities through hydrological and socio-economic benefits. It is also a crucial habitat for aquatic biodiversity and migratory birds.

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Shiveluch Volcano recently erupted, sending ash plumes nearly 10 km into the atmosphere and triggering red-level aviation alerts in Russia’s Far East. It is one of the largest and most active volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Shiveluch is a stratovolcano, formed by alternating layers of hardened lava, volcanic ash, and volcanic rocks.

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Recent research has shown that stress levels along the San Andreas Fault in Southern California are the highest in nearly 1,000 years. The San Andreas Fault is a major continental transform boundary located in the western part of United States in North America. The fault is believed to have started forming around 30 million years ago during the mid-Cenozoic Era. It marks the boundary between the North American Plate and the Pacific Plate. The San Andreas Fault is classified as a strike-slip fault, where tectonic plates slide horizontally past each other.

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A major explosion and fire incident occurred at the Barzan Gas Supply Facility in the Ras Laffan Industrial Area of Qatar. The incident resulted in at least 54 injuries and 18 workers reported missing. The Ras Laffan Gas Facility is one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export hubs. It also houses the world’s largest artificial harbor and plays a key role in global natural gas processing and exports. The facility is located in Al Khor municipality, about 80 km north of Doha, the capital of Qatar.

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Recently, Lonar Lake in Maharashtra was in the news as its water level continued to rise despite declining reservoir and groundwater levels in the state. Lonar Lake is located in Buldhana district, Maharashtra. It is the world’s only known meteorite impact crater formed in basaltic rock.
The crater was formed by a meteorite impact about 50,000 years ago on the Deccan Plateau. It is also the world’s only known saline crater lake, with water about seven times saltier than seawater. The lake is surrounded by steep slopes and centuries-old temples.

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Mount Erebus, the world’s southernmost active volcano, has a permanent active lava lake. It is the only known volcano that releases tiny crystals of pure gold into the atmosphere. Mount Erebus is the world’s southernmost active volcano. It is a stratovolcano located on Ross Island in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. It is an intraplate volcano belonging to the McMurdo Volcanic Group in the West Antarctic Rift System. It is the second-highest volcano in Antarctica, after Mount Sidley. Mount Erebus and Deception Island are the only two active volcanoes in Antarctica.

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The Prime Minister recently visited the Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple during his State visit to Seychelles. It is a Hindu temple located in Victoria, the capital of Seychelles. It is the only Hindu temple in Seychelles. The temple was built in 1992 by the Hindu community in Seychelles. It is dedicated to Lord Vinayagar (Lord Ganesha) and is located on Mahé Island. The temple is built in the Dravidian architectural style, resembling the temples of Tamil Nadu.

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Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports conducted a 22-member mountaineering expedition to the Mt Khyam Tso Massif in the Rumtse Phu region of Ladakh. The expedition was flagged off on 26 June 2026 under the leadership of Hem Chandra Singh. Mt Khyam Tso Massif is a rugged, high-altitude mountain range located in the remote Rumtse Phu region of Ladakh. The massif consists of technically challenging peaks, many of which rise to over 6,000 metres above sea level. It is known for its difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions, making it a demanding destination for mountaineering expeditions.