Daily Current Affairs Quiz: November 19, 2025

Answer: A [2, 4 and 5 only]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The initial phase of Himalayan formation involved the creation of the Great Himalayas, not the Shiwaliks. The Shiwaliks were formed in the last phase.

Statement 2 is correct: The northward movement of the Indian plate is compensated by seafloor spreading in the Indian Ocean. But plates cannot move in one direction alone. For a plate to move north, new material must be added somewhere else to “push” it. This “push” comes from the seafloor spreading in the Indian Ocean.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Himalayas exhibit an asymmetrical topography. The southern slopes are steeper than the northern slopes.

Statement 4 is correct: The Tibetan Plateau’s formation is correctly linked to the uplift of the Eurasian plate’s southern block.

Statement 5 is correct: The curvature of the Himalayan range is attributed to the maximum push exerted at the two ends of the Indian peninsula during its northward drift.

Answer: A [1, 2 and 4 only]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Plate tectonics explains the movement of lithospheric plates (crust + upper mantle). These movements have been happening for hundreds of millions of years, shaping Earth’s surface.

Statement 2 is correct: Continental drift and plate tectonics caused the breakup of Pangaea, forming continents and ocean basins. Present-day distribution of continents, mountain chains, mid-ocean ridges, trenches is due to plate movement.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Plate movement is driven by internal heat of the Earth, not solar energy. Main forces are Mantle convection currents, Ridge push, Slab pull. Solar energy influences weather/climate, not plate tectonics.

Statement 4 is correct: Earthquakes → happen at plate boundaries (e.g., Himalayas, San Andreas).

Volcanoes → occur at subduction zones, rifts, hotspots.

Mountains → formed by convergent boundaries (e.g., Himalayas, Andes).

Answer: D [Due to intense pressure and temperature, anticlines always form valleys, while synclines always form ridges.]
Explanation:

Anticlines and synclines are formed due to compressive forces acting on rock strata. In an anticline, the rock layers are folded upwards, with the oldest rocks at the center of the fold. The limbs dip away from the axial plane, which is an imaginary plane dividing the fold into two symmetrical halves. In a syncline, the rock layers are folded downwards, with the youngest rocks at the center. The limbs dip towards the axial plane. Over time, erosion and weathering processes can significantly modify the topography associated with folds. Due to erosion affecting the top, anticlines can form valleys, and synclines can form ridges. However, it’s not always the case, and sometimes anticlines form ridges and synclines form valleys due to differential erosion of rocks.

Answer: A [1 only]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Volcanic ash is not like soft ash from burning wood. It consists of Sharp, abrasive particles, Rock fragments, Mineral pieces, Volcanic glass shards. These particles are produced when magma is explosively fragmented.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Exposure to volcanic ash can cause Respiratory problems (asthma, bronchitis, irritation), Eye irritation, Skin problems, contaminated water and food systems for animals. Thus, it does have significant health impacts.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Flying through volcanic ash is extremely dangerous:

1. Ash melts in jet engines → causes engine failure
2. Abrades aircraft surfaces, windscreens
3. Damages sensors and electronics

Airlines always avoid ash clouds for this reason.

Answer: D [2, 3 and 5 only]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Dolerite is a hypabyssal rock, but it doesn’t typically form plateaus. Extensive plateaus are usually formed by basaltic lava flows.

Statement 2 is correct: Batholiths are the largest plutons and are commonly composed of granite, a felsic rock.

Statement 3 is correct: The rapid cooling and contraction of basaltic lava flows often lead to the formation of columnar jointing, a distinctive fracture pattern.

Statement 4 is incorrect: Acidic igneous rocks are rich in silica but are generally less dense and lighter in color than basic igneous rocks. Basic rocks have higher concentrations of iron and magnesium, making them denser and darker.

Statement 5 is correct: Amygdales are vesicles (gas bubbles) in volcanic rocks that can be filled with secondary minerals like zeolites, calcite, or quartz.