Geology IFS Paper 2 UPSC 2017 with Solutions

Geology Optional Paper 2 UPSC 2017 - Question Paper with Solutions 

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SECTION-A

Geology 1a Which crystallographic system does the crystal represented by the stereogram above belong to? What faces constitute pinacoid form? What form do the general faces {hkl} belong to? Which of the projected faces are parallel to the c-axis? (IFS 2017/8 Marks)

Geology 1b What are the two crystal-systems in which Mg-Fe and Ca-pyroxene crystallize? How do these two types of pyroxene be distinguished based on their optical properties? (IFS 2017/8 Marks)

Geology 1c Describe magmatic differentiation and epithermal mineral characters. (IFS 2017/8 Marks)

Geology 1d A sedimentary sequence of 2 km thickness shows shallow water deposition from top to bottom. How do you explain it? (IFS 2017/8 Marks)

Geology 1e How a foreland basin is formed at the foot of a mountain belt? (IFS 2017/8 Marks)

Geology 2a In the given Albite-Anorthite phase-diagram liquid of A composition begins to crystallize at 1500°C. What would be the composition of first crystallized feldspar? What would be the composition of liquid and solid at the last stage of crystallization under equilibrium condition? If the equilibrium between liquid and solid is not maintained, what texture of plagioclase is likely to result? (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 2b A rock of pelitic composition containing muscovite, chlorite, quartz and Na-plagioclase would belong to which metamorphic facies? How does this mineral assemblage change on progressive metamorphism to higher grade? (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 2c Describe the formation of sand dunes with a suitable sketch. (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 2d What is the use of heavy minerals in sedimentology? (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 3a What metamorphic structures and textures a rock of basaltic composition would develop during progressive regional metamorphism? (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 3b How can mineral assemblage of a basaltic rock be shown on a triangular ACF diagram? Explain the rationale behind the calculation of A in the ACF diagram. What is the maximum number of phases possible in a two component system according to the standard phase-rule? (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 3c How depositional environment is determined from sedimentary rocks. (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 3d Describe the sedimentary structures. How they can be used to determine the order of superposition? (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 4a Olivine crystallizes in space group Pbnm. What crystallographic information do you derive from this space group symbol? How does olivine in a mid-oceanic- ridge basalt alter? Mineral formula of an olivine is given below. Express this in end-member composition: Fe_0.16²⁺ Fe_0.04³⁺ Mg_1.80  Si_0.96 AI_0.4 O₄ (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 4b Explain in brief the optical properties of minerals in thin sections that can be studied under transmitted light using a petrological microscope. (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 4c Describe the classification of sedimentary rocks based on grain size. (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 4d Describe the difference between alluvial fan, flood plain and delta. (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

SECTION 'B'

5. Write short notes on the followings:

Geology 5a Red Sea Mineralisation. (IFS 2017/8 Marks)

Geology 5b Supergene alteration of sulphide deposits. (IFS 2017/8 Marks)

Geology 5c Placer deposits. (IFS 2017/8 Marks)

Geology 5d Coordination number and its relation to the cation-anion radius ratio in a crystal structure. (IFS 2017/8 Marks)

Geology 5e Uttarakhand natural disaster of June 2013. (IFS 2017/8 Marks)

Geology 6a What are the characteristics of Volcanics-associated Massive Sulphide (VMS) deposits? Discuss about the mineralogy and texture of VMS deposits. (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 6b How does coal form in nature? Why economic deposit of coal is not expected to develop in Precambrian formations? Briefly describe the distribution of Gondwana coal in Peninsular India. (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 6c Trace elements can be classified into compatible and incompatible elements. What is the basis of such classification? (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 6d Describe the important aspects of geochemical prospecting. (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 7a What are the major minerals of manganese? Write a note on manganese deposits of Sausar Group, India. (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 7b Why Banded Iron Formations (BIF) are restricted to Precambrian time? Enumerate the characters of Lake Superior type BIF. (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 7c How does volcanic activity affect climate? What types of volcanoes are more hazardous and how? (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 7d Describe the basis for open cost and underground mining. (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 8a What are the major ore minerals of aluminium and why do their composition vary with time? Discuss about the controls of ore localisation of bauxite through residual concentration. (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 8b What are the characteristic features to recognize any Proterozoic-type carbonate- hosted Pb-Zn deposit? Write a note on the sulphide deposits of Rajpura-Dhariba, Rajasthan. (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 8c How does the urbanization affect groundwater recharge? How can the recharge be increased? (IFS 2017/10 Marks)

Geology 8d What is a radioactive waste and why is it hazardous? Discuss the waste isolation versus waste disposal strategies for the radioactive waste. (IFS 2017/10 Marks)