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GeographyEasyAsked in: NDA · NDA-II 2026, GAT

The Hawaiian volcanoes are the most famous examples of:

  1. A.Flood basalt provinces
  2. B.Calderas
  3. C.Composite volcanoes
  4. D.Shield volcanoes

Correct answer

D. Shield volcanoes

Explanation

The correct answer is D, Shield volcanoes. The volcanoes of Hawaii, such as Mauna Loa and Kilauea, are broad, gently sloping cones built by runny basaltic lava.

Shield volcanoes are the largest volcanoes on the earth. Their lava is low in silica and very fluid, so it flows far before cooling and builds a wide, low dome shaped like a warrior's shield lying on the ground. Eruptions are usually quiet, though they turn explosive if water gets into the vent. Mauna Loa, rising from the floor of the Pacific Ocean, is the classic example.

A is wrong because flood basalt provinces, like the Deccan Traps, are vast lava plateaus from fissures, not single cones. B is wrong because a caldera is a large depression formed when a volcano collapses after an eruption. C is wrong because composite volcanoes, like Fuji and Vesuvius, are steep cones of alternating lava and ash layers with explosive eruptions.

Exam tip: Hawaii means shield volcano; Fuji and Vesuvius mean composite volcano; Deccan Traps mean flood basalt.

Practice Questions

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Q2.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2017, GKMedium

Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Himalayan rivers have their origin in the snow-covered areas, hence are dry in winter season. 2. Rivers of the Peninsular Plateau have reached maturity. 3. Himalayan rivers depict all the three stages of normal cycle of erosion. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.2 only
  2. B.1 and 3 only
  3. C.2 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 2 and 3 only

Himalayan rivers are perennial, so statement 1 is wrong, while statements 2 and 3 are correct. Himalayan rivers such as the Ganga, Indus and Brahmaputra rise from glaciers and snowfields and also get monsoon rain, so they flow all year round, including in winter.

Q3.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2017, GKMedium

Which of the following statements related to latitude are true? 1. Rainfall, temperature and vegetation vary with latitude. 2. The difference between the longest day and the shortest day increases with latitude. 3. Indira Point is located approximately at 6°45' N latitude. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.1 and 3 only
  3. C.2 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: D. 1, 2 and 3

All three statements about latitude are true. Latitude decides how directly the Sun's rays strike a place, so temperature, rainfall and the type of vegetation change from the equator towards the poles, from hot, wet rainforests to cold tundra.

Q4.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2017, GKMedium

Which of the following lakes is/are situated in Ladakh? 1. Tso Kar 2. Pangong Tso 3. Tsomgo 4. Tso Moriri Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 and 3
  3. C.1, 2 and 4
  4. D.2 and 4 only
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 1, 2 and 4

Tso Kar, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri are high-altitude lakes of Ladakh, while Tsomgo lies in Sikkim. Pangong Tso, at about 4,350 metres, is a long, narrow lake that stretches from Ladakh into Tibet, and most of its length lies on the Chinese side.