Q1. What is the main environmental concern associated with cloud seeding?
(a) Accelerated global warming
(b) Depletion of the ozone layer
(c) Changes in local weather patterns
(d) Contamination of water sources
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- Option C: The main environmental concern associated with cloud seeding is the potential for changes in local weather patterns. While cloud seeding is designed to modify precipitation in specific areas, the extent and long-term consequences of these modifications are not fully understood. There are concerns about unintended impacts on rainfall distribution and other weather patterns in the vicinity of the seeded clouds.
- Option A: This option is incorrect. Cloud seeding is not directly associated with accelerated global warming.
- Option B This option is incorrect. Cloud seeding is not linked to the depletion of the ozone layer.
- Option D: This option is incorrect. Contamination of water sources is not a direct environmental concern associated with cloud seeding. The substances used in cloud seeding are typically released at high altitudes and are expected to disperse harmlessly in the atmosphere.
Q2. Which meteorological conditions are often targeted for cloud seeding activities?
(a) Clear skies and high temperatures
(b) Low humidity and strong winds
(c) Cumulus clouds and low temperatures
(d) Stratocumulus clouds and moderate humidity
Ans: (d)
Explanation:
- Cloud seeding activities often target stratocumulus clouds and moderate humidity conditions. These types of clouds are typically more responsive to seeding, and the presence of moderate humidity provides sufficient water vapor for potential precipitation enhancement.
Q3. How does the Global Positioning System (GPS) work?
(a) GPS determines location based on signals from ground-based radio towers.
(b) GPS calculates location by measuring the time it takes for signals to bounce off the Moon.
(c) GPS relies on signals transmitted by a network of satellites to triangulate the precise location of a receiver on Earth.
(d) GPS uses underwater sensors to determine the position of objects in the ocean.
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- Context: In a first for India, a prisoner in Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, has been released on bail with a condition to wear a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking device.
- GPS works by using signals transmitted from satellites orbiting the Earth. These satellites continuously broadcast signals that contain information about the satellite’s location and the exact time the signal was transmitted. A GPS receiver on the Earth’s surface receives signals from multiple satellites and uses the time delay between signal transmission and reception to calculate the distance from each satellite. By triangulating these distances, the GPS receiver can determine its precise location in terms of latitude, longitude, and altitude.
Q4. Which of the following statements correctly describe the Sovereign Green Bond?
(a) A financial instrument issued by a government to fund military projects with a commitment to environmentally sustainable practices.
(b) A type of bond issued by a government to finance projects with positive environmental and climate benefits.
(c) A bond exclusively issued by environmentally conscious sovereign nations to support renewable energy initiatives.
(d) A financial security offered by a government to raise funds for wildlife conservation and preservation efforts.
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- Context: In the first issuance of sovereign green bonds (SGrB) for the Financial Year 2024, the auction of five-year maturity bonds was successful, attracting decent investor interest.
- About Sovereign Green Bond:
- A sovereign green bond is a financial instrument that is issued by a sovereign entity, inter-governmental group, alliance, or corporation. The proceeds from the sale of these bonds are earmarked exclusively for projects classified as environmentally sustainable.
- In India, sovereign green bonds showcase the country’s commitment to building a low-carbon economy. They lower the capital cost for green projects by attracting new investors, and mobilizing private capital for sustainable development.
- India’s first deal in the sovereign green bond market financed expenditures in grid-scale solar and wind, decentralised solar such as solar water pumps for agriculture.
Q5. What is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
(a) A tectonic plate boundary characterized by the collision of the North American and Eurasian plates.
(b) An underwater mountain range running down the center of the Atlantic Ocean.
(c) A geological fault line located in the western United States.
(d) A meteor impact crater found in the Atlantic Ocean.
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- Context: Iceland is currently experiencing a significant increase in seismic activity, with around 1,400 earthquakes measured in the past 24 hours and over 24,000 recorded in the Reykjanes Peninsula since late October.
What are the reasons for the seismic activity in Iceland?
- The seismic activity in Iceland is primarily due to its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. This geological setting makes Iceland prone to frequent earthquakes. The recent earthquake swarm is believed to be a result of movement and pressure changes associated with magma activity beneath the Earth’s surface, indicating a potential precursor to a volcanic eruption.
- Fagradalsfjall lies about 40 km to the southwest of Reykjavík and is the “world’s newest baby volcano.” It had been dormant for eight centuries before erupting in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
What is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
- The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a mid-ocean ridge (a divergent or constructive plate boundary) located along the floor of the Atlantic Ocean and part of the longest mountain range in the world. In the North Atlantic, the ridge separates the North American from the Eurasian Plate and the African Plate, north and south of the Azores Triple Junction.
