BRO reports glacier break in Uttarakhand
Context: There are reports of a glacier breaking off in the Sumna area, located close to the Indo-China border in Uttarakhand. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Commander concerned had informed them that reports of such an incident had been received and teams were being sent to the area. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical Geography, Distribution of […]
Fossils of Cynodonts found in Tiki Formation
Context: The Tiki Formation in Madhya Pradesh, a treasure trove of vertebrate fossils, has now yielded a new species and two genera of cynodonts, small rat-like animals that lived about 220 million years ago. Relevance: Prelims, GS-I: Geography (Geomorphology, Origin & Evolution of Earth) Dimensions of the Article: Tiki Formation New Species found: The Study […]
Monkeydactyl
Context: The new pterosaur fossil was discovered in the Tiaojishan Formation of Liaoning, China, thought to be 160 million years old, has been named Kunpengopterus antipollicatus, also dubbed “Monkeydactyl”. Relevance: Prelims, GS-I: Geography (Geomorphology) Dimensions of the Article: About Pterosaurs About the Monkeydactyl Fossil (Kunpengopterus antipollicatus) Tiaojishan Formation Opposability of the Thumb Back to basics: […]
MEGHALAYA VILLAGES OPPOSE DAM ON INDIA’S CLEAREST RIVER
Context: People of at least a dozen villages fear the death of Umngot River and their tourism-based livelihood if the 210 MW hydroelectric project on Umngot (considered India’s clearest river) comes up. Relevance: Prelims, GS-I: Geography (Important rivers and drainage system of India), GS-III: Industry and Infrastructure (Dams, Hydroelectricity projects) Dimensions of the Article: About […]
EARTHQUAKE IN SIKKIM
Context: An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale struck the Sikkim-Bhutan border and the tremors were felt in the districts of north Bengal including Siliguri, Malda and Darjeeling districts. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Geomorphology, Important Geographical Phenomenon, Earthquakes), GS-III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: Earthquake Earthquake Waves Earthquake zones of India Measurement of earthquakes […]
ASIAN DESERT DUST AND INDIAN SUMMER MONSOON
Context: A new study has shown how dust coming from the deserts in the West, Central and East Asia plays an important role in the Indian Summer Monsoon. The researchers also explain how the Indian Summer Monsoon has a reverse effect and can increase the winds in West Asia to produce yet more dust. Relevance: […]
SUEZ CANAL TEMPORARILY HALTS NAVIGATION
Context: Egypt had to suspend navigation through the Suez canal, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, as a 400-metre-long vessel that veered off course and ran aground blocking the canal. Relevance: Prelims, GS-I: Geography (World Geography, Mapping) Dimensions of the Article: About the Suez Canal About the Suez Canal The Suez Canal is an […]
BRINGING LIFE BACK TO WESTERN GHATS GRASSLANDS
Focus: GS-I Geography, GS-III Environment and Ecology Introduction Tropical montane grasslands (TMG) in the Shola Sky Islands of the Western Ghats have suffered big reductions due to invasions by exotic trees such as acacias, pines and eucalyptus, shrinking the range sizes of endemic species, including plants, birds, amphibians and mammals. Some populations are being driven […]
CYCLONIC STROM “NIVAR”
Focus: GS1: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., 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. Why in News? PM speaks to TN CM and Puducherry CM regarding the situation in the wake of Cyclone […]
Why did cyclones give October a miss?
Context: October to December period is among the favourable months for the development of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. This year, however, October passed without witnessing a cyclonic storm. Relevance: GS Paper 1: Salient Features of World Physical Geography; Important Geophysical phenomena (earthquakes, tsunami, volcanoes, cyclones); Geographical features and location; […]