GS Foundation Course

(Lakshya/Utkarsh)

Subject: GEOGRAPHY

Daily Practice Paper

(DPP)
[ Assignment No. 04 ]

The assignment includes Guidelines to attempt the questions

(1) 5 Objective Type Questions (FOR MCQ Practice)  The MCQs & subjective questions can be solved with
the help of the topics covered in the class, class notes,
(2) 2 Subjective Type Questions (For Answer Writing standard books and other sources like newspapers,
Practice) government websites etc.
 It is expected from the aspirants to attempt all the
Name: ……………………………………......................... questions.
 The copies will be evaluated within 72 hours.
Date of submission : …………………………………......
 You are directed to use 1 page for 150 word limit
Course Name/Batch : ………………………………….... answer and 3 pages for 250 word limit answer.
 Submit the answer sheet before entering the classroom.

Success is fuelled by being persistent and consistent !!

EDEN IAS – Main Office, Building No. 6, Third floor, Bada Bazar Road, Old Rajendra Nagar, Karol Bagh, New Delhi – 110060

Discipline | Strategy | Consistency

 Daily MCQs

Q1. Which of the following is a Select the correct answer using the codes
consequence of sea floor spreading? given below:

(a) Formation of fold mountains (a) 1 only

(b) Creation of new oceanic crust (b) 2 only
(c) Erosion of continental shelves (c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Expansion of continental (d) Neither 1 nor 2
landmasses
Q4. What type of rocks are commonly used
Q2. Which of the following is NOT in paleomagnetic studies?
considered evidence supporting the
Continental Drift Theory? (a) Igneous rocks
(b) Sedimentary rocks
(a) Matching geological formations on (c) Metamorphic rocks
different continents (d) All of the above
(b) Similarities in rock sequences
across continents Q5. How does paleomagnetism contribute
(c) Paleomagnetic data from oceanic to the theory of plate tectonics?
crust
(d) Lack of seismic activity along plate (a) By providing evidence for the
boundaries existence of magnetic poles
(b) By determining the age of oceanic
Q3. Which of the following phenomena is crust
associated with sea floor spreading? (c) By confirming the movement of
continents
1. Movement of continental plates (d) By analysing the magnetic
2. Movement of oceanic plates properties of ocean floor rocks

Daily Answer Writing Practice Questions

Q1. What is geomagnetism? Write an account on geomagnetic properties of the earth.

(10 marks, 150 words)

Q2. How did paleomagnetism help in revival of Continental Drift Theory (CDT) and added
credence to sea floor spreading?
(15 marks, 250 words)

1
 Answers of assignment 03

Daily MCQs

Q1.
Ans: (b)
Explanation
Orders of Relief refer to the varied elevations and depressions on Earth's surface, influenced
primarily by geological forces such as tectonic movements, volcanic activities, and erosion
processes.

Q2.
Ans: (c)
Explanation
Fossil distribution, where similar fossils are found on continents that are now separated by
oceans, supports the idea that these landmasses were once connected and drifted apart.

Q3.
Ans: (c)
Explanation
 The Continental drift must have moved some animals from one continent to another and a
few got stuck in the same place, which must have influenced the evolution. Hence,
statement 1 is correct.
 Glacial cycles would affect evolution as many might not be able to tolerate extreme cold and
would have gone extinct. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Q4.
Ans: (d)
Explanation
The continental drift theory is supported by various lines of evidence, including:
 Jig-saw Fit of Continents
 Rocks of the Same Age Across Oceans
 Tillite Deposits
 Placer Deposits
 Distribution of Fossils

Q5.
Ans: (d)
Explanation
Alfred Wegener's evidence for continental drift includes similar geological features, matching
coastlines, and the distribution of fossils, all pointing towards the idea of continents being
connected in the past and drifting apart.

2
 Daily Answer Writing Practice Questions

Q1. Discuss convective magma currents theory. (10 marks, 150 words)

Model Answer
The Convective Magma Currents Theory is a fundamental concept in geophysics that explains
the movement of magma within Earth's mantle and its role in various geological processes,
including plate tectonics, sea floor spreading, and volcanic activity.

Convectional Current Theory

 In the 1930s, Arthur Holmes proposed the Convectional Current Theory. It is the basis
of Seafloor Spreading Theory.
 According to this theory, the extreme heat generated by radioactive chemicals in the mantle
(100-2900 km beneath the earth's surface) seeks a way to escape and causes convection
currents to emerge in the mantle.
 Under the solid lithosphere, the fluid asthenosphere circulates as convection currents.
 Divergent convective currents pull crustal blocks away from each other in opposite
directions, forming seas and oceans. East African Rift system, the Mid-Atlantic Ridges, and
so on are examples.

 Convergent convective currents generate subsidence in the crustal zones, resulting in

geosynclines and sea closure, resulting in the construction of island arcs, mountains, and
other features.
 Convection currents run through the mantle's molten rock, acting as a conveyor belt for the
plates.
 The total change in the lithospheric materials is constant since these currents are closed in
nature.

The Convective Magma Currents Theory has profound implications for our understanding of
Earth's dynamic processes and the evolution of its crust. Advances in geophysical technology
and computational modelling continue to enhance our insights into the intricate workings of
Earth's mantle convection and its influence on the planet's geological activity.

3
Q2. Write an account on sea floor spreading with suitable examples. (15 marks, 250 words)

Model Answer
The Sea Floor Spreading Theory, proposed by Harry Hess in the early 1960s, revolutionized our
understanding of the Earth's crust and played a crucial role in the development of plate tectonics
theory. This theory explains the mechanism behind the formation of new oceanic crust and the
movement of tectonic plates.

Sea Floor Spreading Theory

 The process of seafloor spreading happens at mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust is
generated by volcanic activity and then progressively travels away from the ridge. Harry
Hess suggested the theory that the seafloor moves (and carries the continents with it) as it
expands from a central axis.
 According to this idea, the great heat generated by radioactive chemicals in the mantle (100-
2900 km below the earth's surface) seeks a way out and causes convection currents to
emerge in the mantle.
 Oceanic ridges form on the seafloor where the rising limbs of these currents meet, while
trenches form where the falling limbs meet.
 New material is added to the ocean floor, while older materials are pushed away from the
crest. As molten material erupts from the mantle, it spreads out and pushes older rocks to
the sides of the fissure, a new ocean floor forms along cracks in the ocean crust. The process
of sea-floor spreading continues to add additional ocean floor.

Evidence that Supports the Seafloor Spreading Theory

 Evidence from Molten Material – Pillow-shaped rocks (rock pillows) indicate that molten
material erupted repeatedly from cracks along the mid-ocean ridge and cooled rapidly.
 Evidence from Magnetic Stripes – The ocean floor rocks are arranged in a pattern of
magnetizing stripes that record reversals in the Earth's magnetic field.
 Evidence from Drilling Samples – Older rocks are discovered farther away from the ridge,
while the youngest rocks are found in the heart of the ridge, according to core samples taken
from the ocean floor.
 Subduction – The process through which a portion of the ocean bottom sinks back into the
mantle after sinking beneath a deep-ocean trench.
 Deep-Ocean Trench – Subduction zones are where this happens. When the marine crust
bends downward, deep underwater canyons form.

4
Outcomes of Seafloor Spreading Theory
 It solved the dilemma of younger crust being discovered at mid-oceanic ridges and older
rocks being found as we move out from the ridge’s middle part.
 It also explained why the sediments in the cores of oceanic ridges are so thin.
 The spreading of the seafloor also supported Alfred Wegener's hypothesis of continental
drift and aided in the development of plate tectonics theory.

Limitation of Seafloor Spreading Theory

 Harry H. Hess neither explains the features of ocean floors nor the movement of the
continents. Like the convectional current theory which talks about the lithospheric plates,
this theory didn’t say anything about it.

The convective magma currents theory provides a comprehensive framework for understanding
the interconnected processes that shape the Earth's lithosphere and drive geological
phenomena. Ongoing research continues to refine our understanding of mantle convection,
including the dynamics of convection cells, the role of mantle plumes, and the effects of
temperature and composition variations within the mantle.