Geology IAS Paper 2 UPSC 2019 with Solutions

Geology Optional Paper 2 UPSC 2019 - Question Paper with Solutions 

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SECTION-A

Geology 1a What are the principles of Miller Indices and Hermann Maugin notation for a crystal face? Calculate Miller Indices of a crystal face which intersects a-axis at 2 unit distance, b-axis at 3 unit distance and is parallel to c-axis. UPSC 2019, 10 Marks

Geology 1b What are 'porphyritic' and 'vitrophyric' textures? Describe with the help of suitable sketches. Comment on petrogenetic significance of vitrophyric texture. UPSC 2019, 10 Marks

Geology 1c Define 'partial melting'. Discuss the role of partial melting in magma generation. UPSC 2019, 10 Marks

Geology 1d Define thermodynamic phase rule and state its mathematical expression. Determine the degree of freedom for a system under equilibrium with 8 components and 5 mineral phases. Briefly discuss the principle of ACF diagram. UPSC 2019, 10 Marks

Geology 1e What are ripple marks? Describe the different types of ripple marks and their geological significance. UPSC 2019, 10 Marks

Geology 2a What is interference figure? What are the conditions required for the formation of interference figures for uniaxial minerals. Draw optic axis for uniaxial negative and positive crystals. UPSC 2019, 20 Marks

Geology 2b Discuss classification, composition and structure of pyroxene group of minerals. Comment upon optical properties and occurrence of hypersthene. UPSC 2019, 20 Marks

Geology 2c Describe using projection diagram various crystal-forms developed in the normal class of tetragonal system. UPSC 2019, 10 Marks

Geology 3a Explain using phase rule the binary eutectic nature of diopside-anorthite system. Comment upon textures produced during crystallization of basaltic magmas rich in diopside and anorthite components. UPSC 2019, 10 Marks

Geology 3b What is the characteristic mineralogy and chemistry of alkaline rocks? Discuss tectono magmatic setting and magma generation of alkaline rocks. UPSC 2019, 20 Marks

Geology 3c What is the concept of 'facies' and 'grade' in metamorphism? Discuss important facies associations in regionally and thermally metamorphosed rock. UPSC 2019, 20 Marks

Geology 4a Define heavy minerals. Describe the different methods of their separation and comment on the utility of heavy mineral suite in provenance determination. UPSC 2019, 20 Marks

Geology 4b What are conglomerates? Describe their classification and geological significance. UPSC 2019, 20 Marks

Geology 4c Discuss the fabric, composition and geological significance of arkose. UPSC 2019, 10 Marks

SECTION-B

Geology 5a Discuss various forms and structures associated with hydrothermal sulphide deposit. Comment upon sequence of mineral formation in Singhbhum sulphide deposit. UPSC 2019, 10 Marks

Geology 5b Discuss quality criteria used for limestone and gypsum in cement industry. Comment upon distribution of cement grade limestone in Vindhyan basin. UPSC 2019, 10 Marks

Geology 5c What is meant by pitch and plunge of an ore body? Calculate average grade of a Pb-ore body from the given data: UPSC 2019, 10 Marks
Sample 1 20 cm × 2.8% Pb
Sample 2 40 cm × 2.5% Pb
Sample 3 12 cm x 3.2% Pb
Cut off grade is 2.4% Pb
Minimum stopping width 1.0 m.

Geology 5d Discuss significance of meteorite in cosmochemistry. UPSC 2019, 10 Marks

Geology 5e How is ground water of coastal areas contaminated by seawater intrusion and comment on its mitigation. UPSC 2019, 10 Marks

Geology 6a Discuss distribution, mode of occurrence, mineralogy and genesis of Precambrian Iron ore deposits of India. UPSC 2019, 20 Marks

Geology 6b What is refractory material? Discuss geology, mode of occurrence and origin of refractory minerals of South India. UPSC 2019, 20 Marks

Geology 6c Give distribution of petroliferous basins in India. Discuss geology of oil-fields of Assam basin. UPSC 2019, 10 Marks

Geology 7a Enumerate different types of mining methods. Discuss in detail coal mining methods. UPSC 2019, 20 Marks

Geology 7b Describe mineralogy and genesis of rock phosphate or phosphorite deposits of India. Comment upon its grade used in the fertilizer industry. UPSC 2019, 20 Marks

Geology 7c Discuss various types of modifiers and their role in the froth flotation process. UPSC 2019, 10 Marks

Geology 8a What are general characteristics of 'lanthanides'? Why is Rare Earth Element (REE) abundances in a rock expressed with the help of chondrite normalized diagram? What is petrogenetic significance of 'Ce' and 'Eu' anomaly? UPSC 2019, 20 Marks

Geology 8b Define 'isomorphism' and 'polymorphism' with suitable examples. What are different types of polymorphism? UPSC 2019, 20 Marks

Geology 8c What are different types of radioactive waste forms? How are they disposed in geological repository? UPSC 2019, 10 Marks