Greater Maldive Ridge: The Maldive Ridge is an aseismic ridge that is not associated with earthquake activities. This ridge, located in the western Indian Ocean, southwest of India, is not well investigated. It is of paramount importance to gain knowledge on the structure and geodynamics of aseismic ridges as it provides valuable inputs towards understanding the evolution of …
What are Hailstorms? A hailstorm is an unusual weather phenomenon in which balls of ice, called hail, fall from the sky. The ice balls are nothing more than solid precipitation that forms under certain conditions. How are Hails formed? Hails are formed by cumulonimbus clouds which are generally large and dark and may cause thunder and lightning. …
Venus: Venus is the second planet from the sun. It is sixth in the solar system in size and mass. It is similar in structure but slightly smaller than Earth (Earth’s Twin). Venus has a thick and toxic atmosphere that consists primarily of carbon dioxide, with clouds of sulfuric acid droplets. Temperature: The planet’s surface temperature is about …
Classification of Cyclones: The Indian Meteorological Department(IMD)’s criterion to classify the cyclones is based upon the method adopted by the World Meteorological Organisation(WMO). The classification is: Type of Disturbances (and Associated Wind Speed in the Circulation): Low-pressure Area: Wind Speed less than 17 knots (<31 kmph) Depression: 17 to 27 knots (31 to 49 kmph) Deep …
Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes: Denotified tribes are those that were notified under the Criminal Tribes Acts enforced during British Rule, whereby entire populations were branded criminals by birth. In 1952, the Act was repealed and the communities were de-notified. The Nomadic tribes maintain constant geographical mobility while semi-nomads are those who are on the move but return to fixed habitations …
Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities – UPSC Prelims Read More »
How fire prone are Himalayan forests? Except for periods of precipitation in monsoon and winter, the forests remain vulnerable to wildfires. Forest fires are a recurrent annual phenomenon in the state, and most commonly occur in Chir Pine forests. In the summer season, forest fires occur frequently in the low and middle hills of the …
Migration is the movement of people away from their usual place of residence, across either internal (within country) or international (across countries) borders. As per the Census, India had 45.6 crore migrants in 2011 (38% of the population) compared to 31.5 crore migrants in 2001 (31% of the population). Migration is a global phenomenon caused not only by economic factors but many …
Highways: National Highways (NH) are built, financed and maintained by the Central government whereas State Highways (SH) are developed by the respective States’ public works department. Constitutional Provisions: Highways declared by or under law made by Parliament to be national highways – Union List under Seventh Schedule. Article 257 (2): The executive power of the Union shall also extend to the giving of directions to …
How a cyclone gets its name? Tropical cyclones passing over the northern part of the Indian Ocean are named by eight countries in the region, namely India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman and Thailand. The process only began in 2004, four years after World Meteorological Organization agreed in principle to allow them to …