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GeographyEasyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2022, GK

Which one of the following is the other term used for 'Focus' in relation with an earthquake?

  1. A.Hypocentre
  2. B.Epicentre
  3. C.Isocentre
  4. D.Principal Point

Correct answer

A. Hypocentre

Explanation

The correct answer is A, Hypocentre. The focus of an earthquake is also called the hypocentre. It is the point inside the Earth where the rocks first break or slip and the energy of the earthquake is released. From the focus, seismic waves travel outward in all directions: the body waves (P-waves and S-waves) move through the interior, and surface waves form when they reach the surface. The depth of the focus is used to classify earthquakes as shallow (up to about 70 km), intermediate or deep (up to about 700 km). Option B is wrong because the epicentre is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus, where the shaking is usually felt first and most strongly. Option C is wrong because "isocentre" is not a term used for the origin of an earthquake; lines joining places of equal intensity are called isoseismal lines. Option D is wrong because "principal point" is a term from optics and photography, not seismology. Exam tip: focus = hypocentre (inside the Earth); epicentre = the point on the surface right above it.

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.