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GeographyMediumAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GK

With reference to earthquakes, which of the following statements are correct? 1. Earthquakes largely occur along the converging plate boundaries. 2. Point of origin of earthquake in lithosphere is known as focus/hypocentre. 3. Intensity of earthquake decreases with distance from the epicentre. 4. Epicentre of earthquake always remains over continents only. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.1, 2 and 3
  3. C.2 and 3 only
  4. D.1 and 4

Correct answer

B. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

The correct answer is B, 1, 2 and 3. The first three statements are true, while statement 4 is false because many earthquakes have their epicentre under the sea.

Most of the world's strong earthquakes occur where plates converge, above all along the Circum-Pacific belt, the 'Ring of Fire', and the Alpine-Himalayan belt. The point inside the Earth where the energy is released is the focus or hypocentre, and the point on the surface directly above it is the epicentre. Intensity measures how strongly the shaking is felt and the damage done, and it is highest near the epicentre and becomes weaker with distance. Undersea earthquakes, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean quake that caused a tsunami, show that epicentres are not limited to land.

A is wrong because it leaves out statement 3, which is true. C is wrong because it leaves out statement 1. D is wrong because it includes statement 4, which is false, and leaves out statements 2 and 3.

Exam tip: focus is inside the Earth, the epicentre is on the surface above it, and intensity falls with distance from the epicentre.

Practice Questions

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Q3.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2026, GKMedium

Consider the following statements with reference to earthquakes:

1. Collapse earthquakes are most common.

2. Tsunamis are waves generated by the tremors and not an earthquake in itself.

3. High magnitude earthquakes i.e. 8+ are quite rare whereas 'tiny' types occur almost every minute.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  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: C. 2 and 3 only

Statement 1 is false because tectonic earthquakes, not collapse earthquakes, are the most common type. Earthquakes are grouped by cause: tectonic (sliding of rocks along a fault), volcanic, collapse (the roofs of underground mines or caverns falling in), explosion (from nuclear or chemical blasts) and reservoir-induced.

Q5.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2026, GKMedium

Which of the following statements related to the stages of evolution of the present atmosphere are correct?

1. The first stage is marked by the loss of primordial atmosphere.

2. In the second stage, the hot interior of the earth contributed to the evolution of the atmosphere.

3. Finally, the composition of the atmosphere was modified by the living world through the process of photosynthesis.

Select the 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 describe, in the right order, the three stages through which the present atmosphere of the Earth evolved.