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GS Paper: GS1-15.Geographical features and their location- Changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

  • What is DANA?

    Why in the News?

    The extreme conditions in eastern Spain which saw Valencia get a year’s worth of rain in just 8 hours can be blamed on an event locally known as Depresion Aislada en Niveles Altos (DANA).

    What is DANA?

    • Depresion Aislada en Niveles Altos (DANA), is commonly referred to as the “cold drop” in English.
    • It is a meteorological phenomenon in the western Mediterranean region that brings intense rainfall and flooding.
    • The term “DANA” was coined by Spanish meteorologists to specifically describe this weather phenomenon.

    Features and Location:

    • DANA occurs when cold air from the Polar Regions separates from the polar jet stream and descends over the warmer Mediterranean Sea.
    • The contrast between cold air aloft and warm, moist air near the surface causes atmospheric instability, leading to the rapid formation of cumulonimbus clouds and intense thunderstorms.
    • It primarily affects Spain and Portugal but can also impact Italy, France, and other areas around the Mediterranean Sea.
    • This occurs in autumn and spring, as temperature variations are more pronounced during these seasons.

    PYQ:

    [2014] The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of:

    (a) Equatorial climate

    (b) Mediterranean climate

    (c) Monsoon climate

    (d) All of the above climates

  • Cyclone Dana

    Why in the News?

    West Bengal and Odisha experienced heavy rainfall as Tropical Cyclone Dana is anticipated to make landfall later tonight.

    What are Cyclones?

    • Cyclones are wind systems rotating inwardly towards an area of low atmospheric pressure. They are categorised into Tropical (Temperature-induced) and Temperate (extra-tropical) cyclones (airmass-induced).
    • Formation Conditions: Tropical cyclones originate in warm regions, requiring conditions such as
    1. Warm sea surface (> 27°C),
    2. Coriolis Force,
    3. Pre-existing low-pressure systems,
    4. Small vertical wind speed differences, and
    5. Upper air divergence.

    Characteristics of Tropical Cyclones:

    • They form over warm water bodies due to energy derived from the condensation of warm water within cumulonimbus clouds.
    • Wind rotation is influenced by the Coriolis force, resulting in anti-clockwise rotation in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.
    • By 30° latitude, the diminished warmth halts cyclone activity.

    What is the “Landfall” of a Cyclone?

    • Landfall occurs when a tropical cyclone moves from the sea onto the land.
    • As per the IMD, a cyclone makes landfall when the centre of the storm, or its eye, crosses the coast.
    • Landfall should not be confused with a “direct hit”, where the eyewall (area of high winds) hits land but the eye of the cyclone remains offshore.
    • According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a cyclone’s strongest winds may still impact land even if the centre of the storm does not reach the coast.

    How long does a Cyclone Landfall last?

    • The duration of landfall typically lasts a few hours, depending on the wind speed and size of the storm.
    • For cyclone Dana, the landfall process is expected to last five to six hours with wind speeds around 125 km/h, impacting a wide region.
    • Cyclones usually weaken after landfall as they lose their moisture supply and experience increased surface friction.
    • While landfall is often the most destructive phase of a cyclone, it also signals the beginning of the cyclone’s dissipation.

    PYQ:

    [2015] In the South Atlantic and South Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclone does not originate. What is the main reason behind this?

    (a) Sea Surface temperature are low

    (b) Inter Tropical Convergence Zone seldom occurs

    (c) Coriolis force is too weak

    (d) Absence of land in those regions

  • Baku and South Caucasus Region

    South Caucasus Region (Transcaucasia)

    Why in the News?

    • The 29th COP to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will begin on November 11, 2024, in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
      • As global leaders gather near the Caspian Sea, the surrounding region of the South Caucasus faces significant climate challenges.

    Key Areas at Risk:

    (1) Regional/transboundary areas:

    • Northern Armenia and southern Georgia
    • North-west Azerbaijan and north-east Georgia (Alazani/Ganykh river basin)

    (2) Within countries:

    • Yerevan and Ararat Valley (Armenia)
    • Lake Sevan (Armenia)
    • Kura-Ara(k)s lowlands (Azerbaijan)
    • Baku and Absheron peninsula (Azerbaijan)
    • Adjara and the Black Sea coast (Georgia)
    • Tbilisi, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, and Kakheti regions (Georgia)

     

    About South Caucasus Region (Transcaucasia):

    Details
    Location South of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, bordered by Russia (north), Turkey and Iran (south), between the Black Sea (west) and Caspian Sea (east).
    Countries Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia; includes disputed territories like Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), Abkhazia, and South Ossetia.
    Mountains Lesser Caucasus Mountains (up to 3,000m); includes the Zangezur Range, Meskheti Range, and Armenian Highlands.
    Seas Between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea; Absheron Peninsula (Azerbaijan) extends into Caspian Sea, rich in oil.
    Rivers and Lakes Major rivers: Kura River (Georgia & Azerbaijan) and Aras River (Armenia & Azerbaijan). Key lake: Lake Sevan (Armenia).
    Climate
    • Continental climate: hot summers and cold winters;
    • Subtropical climate along Georgia’s Black Sea coast;
    • Semi-arid to desert climate near Caspian Sea, especially Azerbaijan.
    Natural Resources Rich in oil and natural gas, particularly in Azerbaijan; critical hub for energy pipelines like the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.
    Geopolitical Importance Strategic transit route for energy resources to Europe; region of geopolitical tensions due to conflicts (Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia, Abkhazia).

     

    PYQ:

    [2014] Turkey is located between:

    (a) Black Sea and Caspian Sea

    (b) Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea

    (c) Gulf of Suez and Mediterranean Sea

    (d) Gulf of Aqaba and Dead Sea

  • Places in News: Neom Megacity Project

    Why in the News?

    The Wall Street Journal has highlighted controversies surrounding the Neom Megacity Project, a key project of Saudi Arabia and world’s largest construction real-estate project.

    About Neom Megacity Project:

    Details
    Location Northwestern Tabuk Province, Saudi Arabia, along the Red Sea
    Launched
    • 2017 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
    • Part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
    Objective To diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and reduce its reliance on oil.
    Size
    • 26,500 sq km
    • Initially $500 billion, now estimated at $1.5 trillion
    Completion Year Expected by 2039
    Key Projects
    • The Line: 170-km long linear city for 9 million residents
    • Oxagon: Octagonal industrial city
    • Trojena: Mountain resort for 2029 Asian Winter Games
    • Magna: Luxury coastal city
    • Sindalah: Luxury island, opening in 2024
    Technological Focus
    • Renewable energy (solar, wind)
    • AI and robotics
    • Green hydrogen production
    Environmental Goals
    • Powered by 95% renewable energy
    • Focus on sustainable development

    Controversies surrounding the Project:

    • Displacement of Indigenous Tribes: The Huwaitat tribe has been forcibly displaced, leading to human rights concerns.
    • Slow Progress: Construction is behind schedule, with only 1.4 km of The Line expected to be completed by 2030.
    • Workplace Misconduct: Reports of toxic culture and unethical leadership, including neglect of worker safety.
    • Surveillance Concerns: Critics worry about the project’s use of real-time monitoring, raising privacy concerns.
    • Cost Overruns: The project’s budget has ballooned from $500 billion to $1.5 trillion, leading to scaled-down plans.

  • Why gold nuggets are found in quartz veins?

    Why in the News?

    Researchers have been curious about why the majority of gold nuggets discovered throughout history have been found in orogenic quartz veins.

    Location and distribution of Gold:

    • Orogenic gold systems are commonly found in mountainous regions where large-scale geological processes, such as the collision of tectonic plates, have occurred.
    • For example, the Himalayas, the Canadian Shield, and the Western Australian goldfields.
    • Large gold nuggets are often found in orogenic quartz veins formed during the tectonic processes that create mountains.
    • These nuggets form because, during earthquakes, the stress on quartz crystals causes a reaction that deposits gold on their surfaces. This process happens repeatedly, leading to the accumulation of gold nuggets.

    Note: 

    • Gold nuggets are naturally occurring pieces of gold that have formed into lumps or chunks. They are typically found in riverbeds, streams, or within rock formations, often in quartz veins.
    • Orogenic quartz veins are quartz veins that form in mountainous regions.

    Findings by Researchers:

      • Piezocatalytic Effect and Gold Accumulation: Researchers discovered that the piezocatalytic effect of quartz under seismic stress causes the accumulation of gold in quartz veins.
        • The piezoelectric quartz crystal generates an electric field when subjected to stress. 
        • This field can drive electrochemical reactions at the interface between the quartz and a surrounding aqueous solution containing dissolved gold. These reactions cause gold to be deposited on the quartz surface. 
      • Seismic Activity and Localized Gold Deposits: The study suggests that gold nuggets in orogenic systems are formed through repeated piezocatalytic reactions over time, driven by natural seismic activity. This process explains the highly localized and interconnected nature of gold deposits within quartz veins.
      Conclusion: Researchers have found that gold nuggets in orogenic quartz veins form through piezocatalytic reactions caused by seismic stress on quartz. This process drives gold deposition on quartz surfaces, explaining the concentration and localization of gold in mountainous regions.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q Craze for gold in Indian has led to surge in import of gold in recent years and put pressure on balance of payments and external value of rupee. In view of this, examine the merits of Gold Monetization scheme. (UPSC IAS/2015)

  • Frequent mass wasting in Tibet a cause for worry in India 

    Why in the News?

    A recent study on frequent mass wasting in Sedongpu Gully and rapid warming raises concerns for India’s Northeast region.

    About Sedongpu Gully:

    • The Sedongpu gully (29°47′7.20′′N, 94°55′24′′E) is in the large bend region of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, located in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau.
    • Debris flows have occurred in two adjacent gullies, namely Sedongpu Gully (SDP) and Zelongnong Gully (ZLN), since the 1950s.

    Mass Wasting in the Gully: Stats and Reasons

    • Since 2017, over 700 million cubic meters of debris have been mobilized in the Sedongpu Gully catchment, with more than 68% of the total 19 identified mass-wasting events occurring in this period.
      • The events include ice-rock avalanches (IRAs), ice-moraine avalanches (IMAs), and glacier debris flows (GDFs).
    • Causes: The increased frequency of mass wasting is attributed to a combination of long-term warming and seismic activity.
      • The area rarely experienced temperatures above 0º C before 2012, but climate change has led to significant warming, destabilizing permafrost and increasing landslide activity.
      • The 6.4-magnitude Nyingchi earthquake in November 2017 also contributed to the destabilization of slopes.

    Implications of sedimentation from mass wasting events:

    • River Choking and Flash Floods: The study warns that the increased sedimentation from mass wasting events could choke river channels, particularly affecting the Brahmaputra River system. 
    • Hydropower Projects: China is planning to construct a massive 60-gigawatt hydropower project on the Tsangpo River, which could exacerbate sedimentation issues downstream.
      • This project is expected to have three times the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam, raising concerns about river management and flood risks in India and Bangladesh.
    • Historical Flood Events: Past incidents, like the 2000 floods in Arunachal Pradesh caused by landslides blocking the Tsangpo River, show how dangerous landslides can be for areas downstream.
      • The chance of similar disasters is higher now because of the ongoing geological instability in the Sedongpu Gully.

    Way forward: 

    • Bilateral and Multilateral Dialogues: India should intensify diplomatic efforts with China, advocating for shared water management strategies and transparency in hydropower projects on the Tsangpo River.
    • Real-Time Monitoring: Establish advanced real-time monitoring systems for the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries, using satellite imagery, remote sensing, and ground-based observations to track landslides, sedimentation, and water flow.

    Mains question for practice:

    Q Discuss the potential risks posed by the increasing frequency of mass wasting events in the Sedongpu Gully and the implications for India’s Northeast region. (150 words) 10M

  • In news: Gumti River

    Why in the News?

    India has refuted allegations that the recent floods in eastern Bangladesh were caused by the opening of the Dumbur dam over Gumti River in Tripura.

    About Gumti River

    Details
    Origin Dumboor Lake, Tripura, India
    Length Approximately 150 kilometers
    Course
    • Flows southward through Tripura, India, and then into Bangladesh;
    • Joins the Meghna River.
    Tributaries
    • Left: Raima, Manu
    • Right: Deo, Khowai
    Terrain Hilly terrain in upper course, fertile plains in lower course
    Biodiversity Supports diverse flora and fauna
    Projects Installed
    • Gumti Hydroelectric Project: Located near Dumbur; Generates hydroelectric power in Tripura; Bangladesh also receives 40 MW.
    • Gumti Irrigation Project: Supports irrigation for agriculture in Tripura, India

     

    PYQ:

    [2014] Consider the following rivers:

    1. Barak
    2. Lohit
    3. Subansiri

    Which of the above flows / flow through Arunachal Pradesh?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • Shiveluch Volcano

    Why in the News?

    The Shiveluch Volcano in Russia erupted following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the country’s eastern coast.

    About Shiveluch Volcano

    Details
    Location
    • Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
    • Approximately 56°39′N 161°21′E
    • Stratovolcano (Composite Volcano)
    • Approximately 3,283 meters (10,771 feet)
    Geological Features Large actively growing lava dome, andesitic to dacitic lava
    Eruption History Frequent eruptions; significant activity in 2005, 2010, and ongoing in 2023-2024
    Hazards Ash plumes, pyroclastic flows, lahars
    Kamchatka Peninsula
    • Lies in far eastern Russia, between the Sea of Okhotsk on the west and the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea on the east.
    • One of the world’s most concentrated areas of geothermal activity, with about 30 active volcanoes.
    • Approximately 1,200 km long and 480 km across at its widest.
    • Climate: Severe, with prolonged, cold, and snowy winters and wet, cool summers.
    • Regional Capital: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
    • Kuril Island chain runs from the southern tip of the peninsula to near Japan’s northern Hokkaido Island.

  • What is a Waterspout?

    Why in the News?

    A yacht sank off the coast of Sicily, Italy after being hit by a Waterspout.

    What are Waterspouts?

    • A waterspout is a rotating column of air and mist over a water body.
    • It is a weaker relative of tornadoes and typically lasts for about five minutes, although it can occasionally last up to 10 minutes.
    • Size and Strength:
      • Average diameter: Around 165 feet.
      • Wind speeds: Can reach up to 100 km/hr.
    • Waterspouts are more common in tropical waters but can form anywhere with high humidity and relatively warm water temperatures compared to the overlying air.

    Types of Waterspouts:

    • Tornadic Waterspouts
        • These are actual tornadoes that either form over water or move from land to water.
    • They are associated with severe thunderstorms and can be accompanied by high winds, large hail, and dangerous lightning.
    • Fair-Weather Waterspouts:
      • These are more common and form only over water during fair weather.
      • They are generally smaller and less dangerous than tornadic waterspouts.

    PYQ:

    [2020] Consider the following statements:

    1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only.

    2. Only some cyclones develop an eye.

    3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10ºC lesser than that of the surroundings.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 2 only

    (d) 1 and 3 only

  • Typhoon Gaemi 

    Why in the News?

    After making landfall in the Philippines, Typhoon Gaemi is heading towards Taiwan.

    What is a Typhoon?

    • A typhoon is a mature tropical cyclone that forms in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, primarily between 100°E and 180°E.
    • It is characterised by strong winds, and heavy rain, and can cause significant damage due to high wind speeds, storm surges, and flooding.

    Factors causing its formation:

    • It needs sustained ocean temperatures of 26.5°C or higher.
    • High moisture content in the mid-troposphere.
    • Presence of the Coriolis force to initiate rotation.
    • Minimal vertical wind shear to allow for storm growth.
    • Atmospheric instability to promote rising motion and thunderstorm activity.
    • An initial low-pressure area or tropical wave to trigger development.
      • Formation Regions: Northwest Pacific Ocean in areas east of the Philippines, southeast of Japan, and near Taiwan; South China Sea and in Western North Pacific near the Mariana Islands and Guam.
    Note: Typhoons do not form in the South Atlantic Ocean and the southeastern Pacific Ocean because of cooler sea surface temperatures and higher wind shear in those regions.

     

    PYQ:

    [2015] In the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclone does not originate. What is the reason?

    (a) Sea surface temperatures are low
    (b) Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone seldom occurs
    (c) Coriolis force is too weak
    (d) Absence of land in those regions