The major portion of the Great Artesian Basin in Australia is located in
- A.Western Australia
- B.Victoria
- C.Queensland
- D.Northern Territory
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, Queensland. Most of the Great Artesian Basin lies beneath Queensland, with smaller parts under New South Wales, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
The basin covers about 1.7 million square kilometres, roughly a fifth of Australia, and is one of the largest underground water reservoirs in the world. Rain falling on the Great Dividing Range in the east soaks into porous sandstone layers that dip westward between impermeable rocks. The water is held under pressure, so when a well is bored it rises to the surface on its own; such wells are called artesian wells. In the dry interior this water supports cattle and sheep stations, though it is often too salty for crops.
A is wrong: Western Australia lies largely outside the basin, over the old Western Plateau.
B is wrong: Victoria, in the south-east, is not part of the Great Artesian Basin.
D is wrong: the Northern Territory holds only a small part of the basin.
Exam tip: Great Artesian Basin is mainly in Queensland and is recharged from the Great Dividing Range; its water rises by pressure through artesian wells.
Practice Questions
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- A.Brazilian Current
- B.Gulf Stream
- C.North Equatorial Current
- D.California Current
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- A.Manipur, Meghalaya, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
- B.Manipur, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
- C.Mizoram, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
- D.Mizoram, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
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Read the full explanation →Consider the following statements on 'Fog' : 1. Fog is simply a cloud that forms close to the ground. 2. Radiation fog is associated with radiation cooling of the land at night. 3. Advection fog forms when moisture is blown over a cold surface and is chilled by contact. Which of the statements given above are correct ?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
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Read the full explanation →Salal Power Project is situated on which one among the following rivers?
- A.Chenab
- B.Jhelum
- C.Nubra
- D.Shyok
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Read the full explanation →India's territorial limit extends towards the sea up to
- A.10 nautical miles
- B.12 nautical miles
- C.14 nautical miles
- D.15 nautical miles
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India's territorial waters, where it has full sovereignty, extend 12 nautical miles (about 22.2 km) from the baseline of its coast.
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