Geology IAS Paper 1 UPSC 2021 with Solutions

Geology Optional Paper 1 UPSC 2021 - Question Paper with Solutions 

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SECTION 'A'

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

Geology 1a Explain what is ring of fire? How many plates and geographic areas are associated with ring of fire? UPSC 2021, 10 Marks

Geology 1b What is Geographic Information System (GIS)? Explain the concepts, components and functions of GIS. UPSC 2021, 10 Marks

Geology 1c Discuss stereoscopy and its advantages in aerial photo interpretation. Add a note on elements of photo interpretation. UPSC 2021, 10 Marks

Geology 1d What is stereographic projection in structural geology? Discuss its types, nomenclature and different types of geological plotting technique in a stereonet. UPSC 2021, 10 Marks

Geology 1e Discuss stress and strain ellipsoids using neat diagrams. UPSC 2021, 10 Marks

Geology 2a What are lithospheric plates? Discuss the theory of plate tectonics. Which plates were involved when a major earthquake caused tsunami in Indian Ocean in 2004? UPSC 2021, 20 Marks

Geology 2b Discuss the geomorphic processes. Cite any four aggradational and four degradational land forms associated with fluvial processes. UPSC 2021, 15 Marks

Geology 2c What does attitude of a bed mean? Define strike, dip direction and dip amount of a bed and explain how these are represented on a map for vertical, horizontal and inclined strata. UPSC 2021, 15 Marks

Geology 3a What are the fundamental concepts used in Geomorphological studies? Explain the concept "little of the earth's topography is older than Tertiary and most of it no older than Pleistocene? UPSC 2021, 20 Marks

Geology 3b What is isostacy and what are the different theories put forward to explain this concept? UPSC 2021, 15 Marks

Geology 3c What is a fold domain? Discuss any eight types of folds depending on the closure of fold domain. UPSC 2021, 15 Marks

Geology 4a What are hanging wall and footwall of a fault? Describe the different classes of faults based on relative movement of walls. UPSC 2021, 20 Marks

Geology 4b i What are atmospheric windows in Remote sensing? UPSC 2021, 5 Marks

Geology 4b ii What are spectral reflectance curves? Explain how clear water, dry soil and healthy vegetation can be demarcated using spectral reflectance curves with neat sketches. UPSC 2021, 10 Marks

Geology 4c Define drainage pattern, Drainage texture and Drainage anomaly. Also give their general classification. Discuss the significance of those in geological interpretation of aerial photos and satellite images. UPSC 2021, 15 Marks

SECTION-B

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

Geology 5a What are megafossils? Give names of any three age-diagnostic megafossils indicating their significance in Indian stratigraphy. UPSC 2021, 10 Marks

Geology 5b What is paleogeography? Discuss various tools employed in paleogeographic reconstruction. UPSC 2021, 10 Marks

Geology 5c Define lithostratigraphy. Enlist diagnostic properties of lithostratigraphic units giving example from Indian stratigraphy. UPSC 2021, 10 Marks

Geology 5d Discuss characteristics of confined and unconfined aquifers. UPSC 2021, 10 Marks

Geology 5e Discuss briefly characteristics of earthquake resistant structures. UPSC 2021, 10 Marks

Geology 6a Discuss the evolutionary trends in the lineage of equidae and give any two examples of their Indian occurrences. UPSC 2021, 20 Marks

Geology 6b Describe Cenozoic stratigraphy of Kuchh basin. Comment on its fossil content and depositional environment. UPSC 2021, 15 Marks

Geology 6c Discuss briefly as to why artificial recharge is essentially required in confined aquifers. Explain with suitable diagrams a typical injection well for roof-top harvesting of water. UPSC 2021, 15 Marks

Geology 7a Describe stratigraphy and depositional environment of Gondwana Supergroup and discuss why only certain intervals of Gondwana succession are rich in coal seam? UPSC 2021, 20 Marks

Geology 7b What are trace fossils? Describe the modes of preservation of trace fossils and comment on their geological significance. UPSC 2021, 15 Marks

Geology 7c Describe various types of Dam with suitable sketches. Comment on the geological conditions required for site selection for each type of Dam. UPSC 2021, 15 Marks

Geology 8a Give a brief account of sources of groundwater pollution in India and discuss the management of groundwater resources. UPSC 2021, 20 Marks

Geology 8b What are microfossils? Discuss the application of microfossils in petroleum exploration. UPSC 2021, 15 Marks

Geology 8c What are mass extinctions? Comment on the various hypothesis proposed for the causes of Permian-Triassic mass extinction. UPSC 2021, 15 Marks