Test: Himalayas - UPSC MCQ

Let's analyze each statement for its accuracy:

1. The Assam Himalayas are lower in elevation compared to the Nepal Himalayas.

- This statement is correct. The Nepal Himalayas are known for having the tallest peaks like Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga, making them significantly higher in elevation compared to the Assam Himalayas.

2. The Western Syntaxial Bend occurs near Namcha Barwa in Arunachal Pradesh.

- This statement is incorrect. The Western Syntaxial Bend actually occurs near Nanga Parbat where the Indus River cuts a deep gorge, not near Namcha Barwa. Namcha Barwa is associated with the Eastern Syntaxial Bend.

3. The Eastern Syntaxial Bend marks the eastern extremity of the Himalayas.

- This statement is correct. The Eastern Syntaxial Bend occurs near Namcha Barwa in Arunachal Pradesh and marks the eastern extremity of the Himalayas.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 3. Hence, the correct answer is Option C.

The Himalayas were formed as a result of the collision between the Indo-Australian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. This convergence led to the gradual upliftment of the sedimentary layers from the former seabed, creating the massive mountain range we now know as the Himalayas. This ongoing tectonic activity continues to uplift the Himalayas at a rate of approximately 5 millimeters per year, showcasing the dynamic geological processes shaping our planet.

1. Pangea and Panthalassa - 250 million years ago: Correct. Pangea was a supercontinent that existed around 250 million years ago, surrounded by the vast ocean Panthalassa.

2. Breaking of Pangea - 100 million years ago: Incorrect. Pangea began to break apart around 150 million years ago, not 100 million years ago.

3. Formation of Tethys Sea - After the breakup of Pangea: Correct. The breakup of Pangea led to the formation of the Tethys Sea between Laurasia and Gondwanaland.

4. Convergence of Indo-Australian and Eurasian Plates - Driven by mantle convection currents: Correct. The convergence of these plates was driven by convection currents in the Earth's mantle.

Thus, pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 2 is incorrect.

1. Shiwalik or Outer Himalayas: The first statement is correct. The Shiwalik or Outer Himalayas are the southernmost range of the Himalayas, lying between the Middle Himalayas in the north and the Indo-Gangetic Plains in the south. This is a well-established geographical fact about the Himalayan ranges.

2. Purvanchal or Eastern Hills: The second statement is also correct. The Purvanchal or Eastern Hills extend from Arunachal Pradesh in the north to Mizoram in the south and serve as India's border with Myanmar. This correctly describes the geographical extent and significance of these hills.

3. Kumaon Himalayas: The third statement is incorrect. The Kumaon Himalayas, also known as Garhwal Himalayas in the west, lie between the Satluj River in the west and the Kali River in the east, not between the Indus River and the Sutlej River. The region between the Indus River and the Sutlej River is known as the Punjab Himalayas.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B.

1. Patkai Bum - Located along the boundary between Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar

- This pair is correctly matched. Patkai Bum is indeed along the boundary between Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar.

2. Mizo Hills - Situated south of Naga Hills

- This pair is incorrectly matched. Mizo Hills, also known as Lushai Hills, are situated south of Manipur Hills, not Naga Hills.

3. Zanskar Range - Located in Assam Himalayas

- This pair is incorrectly matched. The Zanskar Range is part of the Jammu and Kashmir region and falls under the Punjab Himalayas, not the Assam Himalayas.

4. Nanda Devi - Located in Kumaon Himalayas

- This pair is correctly matched. Nanda Devi is indeed located in the Kumaon Himalayas.

Thus, pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched.

Let's analyze each pair based on their correct geographical locations:

1. Mount Everest – Nepal Himalayas: Correct. Mount Everest is located in the Nepal Himalayas.

2. Namcha Barwa – Assam Himalayas: Incorrect. Namcha Barwa is located in the eastern Himalayas in Tibet, not Assam.

3. Kanchenjunga – Nepal Himalayas: Correct. Kanchenjunga is located on the border between Nepal and the Indian state of Sikkim in the Nepal Himalayas.

4. Dhaulagiri – Assam Himalayas: Incorrect. Dhaulagiri is located in Nepal, not in Assam.

Based on this analysis, the correctly matched pairs are:

• Mount Everest – Nepal Himalayas
• Kanchenjunga – Nepal Himalayas

So, the correct answer is 2. Only two pairs.

To determine which of the statements are correct, let's analyze each one based on geographical facts:

1. The Zaskar Range runs roughly parallel to the Great Himalayan Range.

   • This statement is correct. The Zaskar (or Zanskar) Range is part of the Trans-Himalayan ranges and runs roughly parallel to the Great Himalayan Range.

2. The Karakoram Range is the southernmost part of the Trans-Himalayas in India.

   • This statement is incorrect. The Karakoram Range is not the southernmost part of the Trans-Himalayas. Instead, it is located to the north of the main Himalayan range and spans the borders between India, Pakistan, and China. The southernmost range of the Trans-Himalayas in India is generally considered to be the Ladakh Range.

3. The Ladakh Range is seen as an extension of the Karakoram Range towards the southwest.

   • This statement is correct. The Ladakh Range is considered an extension of the Karakoram Range towards the southwest.

Thus, the correct statements are:

• Statement 1: Correct
• Statement 3: Correct

The correct answer is: 1 and 3 only.

The Correct Option is (d)

India and Sri Lanka
The Palk Strait is a narrow strip of water that separates the southernmost region of India from the northernmost region of Sri Lanka. It stretches between the Tamil Nadu state of India and the Jaffna Peninsula of Sri Lanka. Here are some details about the countries divided by the Palk Strait:
India:

• Location: India is located in South Asia and is bordered by several countries, including Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
• Palk Strait Border: The Palk Strait forms a natural border between India and Sri Lanka, connecting the Bay of Bengal in the northeast with the Gulf of Mannar in the southwest.
•  Indian States: The Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are located along the eastern coast of the Palk Strait.

Sri Lanka:

• Location: Sri Lanka is an island country located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal.
• Palk Strait Border: The northernmost region of Sri Lanka, known as the Jaffna Peninsula, is separated from India by the Palk Strait.
• Districts: Jaffna District, Kilinochchi District, Mannar District, Mullaitivu District, and Vavuniya District are the Sri Lankan districts located along the Palk Strait.

In conclusion, the Palk Strait divides India and Sri Lanka, with India's Tamil Nadu state and Sri Lanka's Jaffna Peninsula being located on opposite sides of the strait.

The correct answer is C: The Eastern Himalayas → The Karakoram range.
The division of the Himalayas and their hills/ranges is as follows:
A: The trans-Himalayas → The Zaskar range
B: The Eastern Himalayas → The Patkai Bum
D: The trans-Himalayas → The Ladakh range

The Karakoram range is not associated with the Eastern Himalayas. The Karakoram range is located in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, extending across the borders of India, Pakistan, and China. It is distinct from the Eastern Himalayas, which are located further east and include ranges such as the Patkai Bum. Therefore, the pair "The Eastern Himalayas → The Karakoram range" is incorrect.

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct. The Himalayas were indeed formed due to the convergence of the Indo-Australian Tectonic Plate with the Eurasian Tectonic Plate. The Tethys Sea vanished entirely as a result of the converging plates and the upward movement of sediments, which led to the genesis of the Himalayas. The movement of the plates caused the sediments to uplift and form the massive mountain range we now know as the Himalayas. Therefore, Statement-II explains the process behind Statement-I, establishing a clear link between the formation of the Himalayas and the disappearance of the Tethys Sea.

Statement-I accurately describes the Trans-Himalayas as the Himalayan Ranges situated to the north of the Great Himalayan Range, spanning about 1,000 kilometers in an east-west direction. However, Statement-II incorrectly describes the Greater Himalayas, also known as Himadri, focusing on their geological composition and orientation across various regions, which is unrelated to the Trans-Himalayas. Therefore, Statement-I is correct in the context of the Trans-Himalayas, while Statement-II is incorrect.

Let's evaluate each pair:

• K2 (Mount Godwin-Austen) - Zaskar Range: Incorrect. K2 is part of the Karakoram Range, not the Zaskar Range.


• Kamet Peak - Greater Himalayas: Correct. Kamet is located in the Garhwal region of the Greater Himalayas.


• Siachen Glacier - Zaskar Range: Incorrect. Siachen Glacier is in the eastern Karakoram Range.


• Nanga Parbat - Middle or the Lesser Himalayas: Incorrect. Nanga Parbat is part of the Himalayas but specifically in the Western Himalayas.


 

Only one pair is correctly matched: Option A.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Himalayas were indeed formed by the convergence of the Indo-Australian Plate with the Eurasian Plate. This tectonic activity led to the upliftment of the sediments in the Tethys Sea, resulting in the formation of the Himalayan mountain range.

2. Statement 2 is correct. The breakup of the supercontinent Pangea led to the formation of the Tethys Sea between the northern Laurasia and the southern Gondwanaland. The sedimentation in the Tethys Sea and its eventual closure due to plate convergence were critical processes in the genesis of the Himalayas.

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. While the Himalayas continue to rise due to the ongoing convergence of the Indo-Australian and Eurasian Plates, the uplift rate is approximately 5 millimeters per year, not 10 millimeters per year.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

Statement-I: "Nepal Himalayas primarily extend from the Kali River in the west to the Tista River in the east."

This statement is correct. The Nepal Himalayas, also known as the Central Himalayas, indeed extend from the Kali River in the west to the Tista River in the east.

Statement-II: "Assam Himalayas are lower in elevation compared to Nepal Himalayas."

This statement is also correct. The Assam Himalayas, which are part of the Eastern Himalayas, are generally lower in elevation compared to the higher peaks found in the Nepal Himalayas, such as Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.

Since both statements are correct but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I, the correct answer is: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I