Bagmati River
July 16, 2024↓Source- This post on the Bagmati River has been created based on the article “Flood Situation In Bihar’s Muzaffarpur After Bagmati River’s Water Level Rises” published in “NDTV” on 16 July 2024.
Why in the news?
Recently, a flood situation has emerged in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur area due to the rising water levels of the Bagmati River.
About Bagmati River:
Source- Mera Apna Bihar Aspect Detail Location The Bagmati River flows through south-central Nepal and northern Bihar state, India. Origin The river originates from the Bagdwar area in the Shivapuri Hills, located in the northwestern part of Kathmandu Valley. Course a. The river flows down from the Kathmandu valley floor and passes through the valley at Chovar.
b. It flows southward through the Shivalik Range, the southernmost range of the Himalayas.
c. The river continues across the plains of Tarai into Bihar. It then flows southeastward to join the Burhi Gandak River.
The total course of the river is 225 miles (360 km). The Bagmati River basin transacts three distinct latitudinal physiographic zones in the Nepal Himalayas- Mountain Zone, Siwalik Zone and Terai Zone.Religious Significance The river is considered holy by both Hindus and Buddhists.
The banks of the Bagmati River are home to various temples, including the Pashupatinath Temple which is a UNESCO World Heritage SiteUPSC Syllabus: Geography
Mackenzie River
July 13, 2024↓Source- This post on the Mackenzie River has been created based on the article “Mackenzie River in Canada Reaches Historic Low Levels, Stranding Communities” published in “TimesNews” on 13 July 2024.
Why in the news?
The Mackenzie River is currently experiencing record-low water levels due to extreme heat and minimal precipitation. These conditions have caused significant evaporation, severely impacting local communities that depend on the river for transportation and fishing.
About the Mackenzie River
Source: Blogspot 1. Location: The Mackenzie River flows through Canada’s Northwest Territories.
2. It is the longest river system in Canada, stretching approximately 1,650 km (1,025 miles).
3. The river originates from Great Slave Lake and empties into the Beaufort Sea in the Arctic Ocean.
4. Historically, the river has been crucial for transportation and the extraction of natural resources.
5. The Mackenzie River basin is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including numerous fish species, migratory birds, and mammals such as beavers and moose.
6. The river holds cultural and economic importance for several Indigenous communities who have lived along its banks for thousands of years.
7. Beyond transportation and fishing, the river supports activities such as tourism and hydroelectric power generation, making it a vital component of the regional economy.
UPSC Syllabus: Geography
Aphelion Point
July 6, 2024↓Source- This post on Aphelion has been created based on the article “What is Aphelion?” published in “Indian Express” on 6 July 2024.
Why in the news?
Recently, Earth has reached aphelion.
About Aphelion
Source: Indian Express 1. Aphelion is the point in Earth’s orbit where it is the farthest from the Sun. The Earth’s path around the Sun is a slightly stretched-out circle or oval. This path is called an elliptical orbit.
2. Because of this shape, sometimes Earth is closer to the Sun, and sometimes it’s farther away. The point where Earth is farthest from the Sun is called aphelion.
How Far is Earth at Aphelion?
1. At aphelion, Earth is about 152.1 million kilometers away from the Sun.
2. This happens every year in early July. Six months later, in early January, Earth reaches the closest point to the Sun, called perihelion, when it is about 147.1 million kilometers away.
3. So, the distance changes by about 5 million kilometers between these two points.
Does Aphelion Affect Seasons?
1. Earth gets about 7% less sunlight at aphelion compared to perihelion.
2. Instead, the tilt of the Earth’s axis is the main reason of having seasons.
3. Depending on where Earth is in its orbit, either the Northern or Southern Hemisphere tilts towards or away from the Sun, creating the seasons.
What Would Happen if Earth’s Orbit Changed?
1. If Earth’s orbit were a perfect circle, the lengths of the seasons would be the same.
2. Spring and summer are a bit longer than fall and winter in the Northern Hemisphere because of elliptical orbit.
3. If the orbit became more circular, it wouldn’t cause major changes. However, if the orbit became more stretched out (more elliptical), it could make the seasons much more extreme.
4. Summers could become very hot, and winters very cold which could be harmful to life on Earth.
UPSC Syllabus: Geography
Minami-Torishima Island
July 2, 2024↓Source-This post on Minami-Torishima Island has been created based on the article “Japan found enough minerals off a remote Pacific island to fuel its EV plans for over a decade” published in “Business Standard” on 25 June 2024.
Why in the news?
Researchers recently discovered around 230 million metric tons of minerals crucial for making electric car batteries on the seabed off Minami-Torishima Island.
About Minami-Torishima Island
Source: Blogspot Aspects Description About 1. Minami-Torishima Island, also known as Marcus Island, is an isolated Japanese coral atoll in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.
2. It is the easternmost territory belonging to Japan and the only Japanese territory on the Pacific Plate, past the Japan Trench.
3.The island lies 1,950 km southeast of central Tokyo.Geography 1. The shape of the island is close to an equilateral triangle.
2. Minami-Torishima Island is formed by a raised coral reef. The terrain is flat, with a maximum altitude of 9 meters.Climate The island is located in the transitional zone between tropical and subtropical climates. It has an oceanic climate with an average annual temperature of around 25.6 °C. Economic Zone The exclusive economic zone based on the baseline of Minami-Torishima Island covers approximately 430,000 km², which is larger than Japan’s land area. UPSC Syllabus: World Geography
Shyok River
July 1, 2024↓Source- This post on ” Shyok River” has been created based on the article “Five soldiers swept away by Shyok river during military training in Ladakh: Army” published in the Hindu on 30th June 2024.
Why in News
Five soldiers of the Indian army have been swept away by the Shyok River during military training in Ladakh.
Key Facts about the Shyok River
Source- Wikipedia Aspects Details Origin It originates from the Rimo Glacier. The Rimo glacier is one of the tongues of the Siachen Glacier. The river gets its name from a Ladakhi word meaning ‘the river of death‘. Course It flows through northern Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, India, and enters the Pakistan-administered region of Gilgit-Baltistan. It meanders through the high-altitude desertsand mountain ranges of Ladakh before converging with the Indus. Length The total length of the river is around 550 km (340 mi) and it is regularly fed by meltwater from numerous glaciers on its journey. Tributaries Its main right-bank tributary is the Nubra River. Read More- Geography in News
Lake Natron
June 26, 2024↓Source– This post on Lake Natron has been created based on the article “Flamingos under threat: Climate impact jeopardising delicate balance of Tanzania’s Lake Natron” published in “Down to Earth” on 24th June 2024.
Why in the news?
Experts note a steady decline in the flamingo population at Lake Natron, as extreme weather and encroachment cause fewer birds to return each year.
About Lake Natron
Source: expertafrica.com Aspects Description Location It is situated on the border between Tanzania and Kenya. It is part of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley. Features 1. It contains warm waters with high levels of salt, caustic soda, and magnesite deposits.
2. It is ideal conditions for flamingos to thrive.
3. The lake’s extreme alkalinity gives it a striking red hue.
4. It is recognized as a Ramsar site, indicating its importance as a wetland of international significance.Fed by It is fed by the Ewaso Ng’iro River which originates from central Kenya. Threat Agriculture, pollution, and climate change pose significant threats to this unique ecosystem. UPSC Syllabus: World Geography
Namaqualand
June 25, 2024↓Source– This post on Namaqualand has been created based on the article “Astonishing” Discovery – 34,000-Year-Old Inhabited Termite Mounds Discovered in South Africa” published in “Scietechdaily” on 21 June 2024.
Why in the news?
Scientists recently discovered that termite mounds along the Buffels River in Namaqualand are the world’s oldest inhabited, dating back 34,000 years.
About Namaqualand
Source: Scitech 1. Namaqualand is a desert area in southwestern Africa.
2. It extends from the Karas region in Namibia in the north to the Northern Cape province in South Africa in the south.
3. From west to east, it stretches from the Namib Desert to the Kalahari Desert.
4. In Namibia, the part of Namaqualand north of the Orange River is known as Great Namaqualand.
5. In South Africa, the area south of the Orange River is called Little Namaqualand.
6. Namaqualand is very dry, and for most of the year, you will mainly see succulents. These are special plants that store water and can survive long periods without rain.
7. During winter, when it rains, the desert can bloom with wildflowers for a few weeks in spring.
8. Historically, the Nama people lived in Namaqualand before the Germans took over the region in the 19th century. The area has large copper deposits, which the Nama mined for hundreds of years.
9. In the early 1900s, diamonds were discovered in parts of Namaqualand, such as Sperrgebiet in Namibia and the Richtersveld in South Africa.
UPSC Syllabus: World geography
International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO)
June 25, 2024↓Source– This post on International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) has been created based on the article “WORLD HYDROGRAPHY DAY 2024” published in “PIB” on 21 June 2024.
Why in the news?
The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) celebrates World Hydrography Day on 21 June every year to raise awareness about hydrography.
About the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO)
Source: PIB Aspects Description About The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) is a group of countries working together to make sure all the world’s seas, oceans, and navigable waters are mapped and charted accurately. History The IHO was established in 1921.
It coordinates the work of national hydrographic offices to ensure nautical charts and documents are uniform.Purpose The IHO sets best practices for surveys, provides guidelines for using hydrographic data, and helps develop hydrographic skills in member countries. Membership The IHO has 100 member countries. India is member of the organisation. Headquarter Its headquarters are in Monaco. India’s Role 1. India has been a member of the IHO since 1955.
2. The Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD), formerly known as the Marine Survey of India, was established in 1874 in Kolkata.
3. INHD is responsible for hydrographic surveys in India and operates a fleet of modern survey ships built in India.About World Hydrography Day
1. It is celebrated every year on June 21.
2. The theme for 2024 is “Hydrographic Information – Enhancing Safety, Efficiency, and Sustainability in Marine Activities.”
About Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD)
1. The Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) functions under the Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India.
2. The Department, being the nodal agency for Hydrographic surveys and Nautical charting in India, has a very well established organizational setup.
3. The INHD has seven indigenously built modern survey ships, including one Catamaran Hull Survey Vessel (CHSV) fitted with state-of-the-art surveying equipment.
4. It also has a well-established ‘National Institute of Hydrography,’ which serves as a center for training in hydrography, accredited by the International Hydrographic Organization for both national and international trainees.
UPSC Syllabus: World Geography
Delos Island
June 21, 2024↓Source– This post on Delos Island has been created based on the article “Ancient Greek sanctuary slowly sinks into the Aegean Sea” published in “The Hindu” on 13 June 2024.
Why in the news?
An expert has warned that the remarkable ancient site on the small Greek island of Delos is “at risk of vanishing” within decades due to rising sea levels and geological processes.
About Delos Island
Source: WorldAtlas Aspects Description About 1. It is a rocky island and part of the Cyclades archipelago in the Aegean Sea. It was first settled in the 3rd millennium B.C. and significant in the 1st millennium B.C.
2. Delos is now largely uninhabited, but its rugged granite landscape covers approximately 1.3 square miles.Mythology and History 1. Delos was considered a holy sanctuary for a millennium before it became known as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis in Olympian Greek mythology.
2. The island’s Sacred Harbour features three conical mounds associated with a goddess (possibly Athena).
3. UNESCO recognized Delos as a World Heritage Site due to its exceptional archaeological remains, its influence on Greek architecture, and its sacred importance throughout Ancient GreeceArchaeological Significance 1. Extensive excavations have revealed artifacts that are now displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Delos and the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
2. The island was inhabited since the third millennium BCE and served as a major cult center for gods like Dionysus and Leto.
3. Delos underwent purification rituals to ensure proper worship of the gods, including the removal of graves within sight of the temple.Key Facts about the Aegean Sea
1. It is located in the East Mediterranean Basin, with the Greek peninsula to the west and Anatolia (Asian side of Turkey) to the east.
2. The Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits connect the Aegean Sea to the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, respectively.
3. Most Aegean Islands belong to Greece. Turkey’s notable possessions in the Aegean Sea are Imbros (Gökçeada) and Tenedos (Bozcaada) in the northeastern part.
Climate of the Aegean Sea
1. It is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, typical of Western Turkey and Greece.
2. It is defined by drier and hotter summers with milder winters. It is classified as cold semi-arid, with cooler summers.
3. The Etesian wind significantly influences the weather in the Aegean basin.
UPSC Syllabus: World Geography
Olympus Mons
June 15, 2024↓Source– This post on Olympus Mons is based on the article “Olympus Mons: The largest volcano in the solar system” published in “PIB” on 14th June 2024.
Why in the News?
Recently, Scientists have discovered frost on Mars’ tallest volcano, Olympus Mons, revealing an active water cycle on the Red Planet.
About Olympus Mons
Source: spaceexploration92.com 1. Olympus Mons is a shield volcano situated in Mars’ western hemisphere.
2. It is the highest point on Mars and the largest known volcano in the solar system, standing at 16 miles (24 kilometers) high, which is about three times taller than Mt. Everest.
3. Olympus Mons is 340 miles (550 kilometers) wide, covering an area larger than the entire chain of Hawaiian Islands.
4. Olympus Mons is approximately 3.5 billion years old, indicating it formed early in Mars’ history. It has a very flat structure with slopes ranging from only 2 to 5 degrees.
6. The summit has a large depression called a caldera, spanning 50 miles (80 kilometers) wide. The summit caldera consists of several overlapping pits created by different eruptive phases. It has multiple pits.
About Shield Volcanoes
1. Shield volcanoes are the largest volcanoes on Earth.
2. They have broad, gentle slopes rather than soaring, conical peaks like composite volcanoes.
3. They are almost exclusively composed of basalt which is a type of lava that is very fluid when erupted.
4. Shield volcanoes are built by repeated eruptions over vast periods of time.
5. Eruptions are usually low-explosivity, characterized by lava fountaining that forms cinder cones and spatter cones at the vent. Eruptions can become explosive if water gets into the vent.
6. Examples: The Hawaiian shield volcanoes are the most well-known examples of this type of volcano.
UPSC Syllabus: World Geography
