Geology IAS Paper 1 UPSC 2024 with Solutions

In this article, all questions of Geology Optional Paper 1 are answered. Click on the question links to view the answers.
This article is part of Synopsis IAS Geology Optional Course for UPSC IAS. 

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Geology Optional Paper 1 UPSC 2024 - Question Paper with Solutions 

Click on the links for the solutions

SECTION-A

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 

Geology 1a Discuss two widely accepted theories of origin of the earth. Elucidate the position of all planets within the solar system and write the important facts of the earth. IAS 2024, 10 Marks

Geology 1b What are the planar and linear structures of a rock? Discuss the genesis of boudins. IAS 2024, 10 Marks

Geology 1c Discuss the applications of remote sensing in Geology. IAS 2024, 10 Marks Marks

Geology 1d Discuss the process of soil formation. IAS 2024, 10 Marks

Geology 1e Define dip of a rock bed. What is true dip and apparent dip? Find the strike direction of a bed which dips 30°; towards North 30" East. IAS 2024, 10 Marks

 

Geology 2a Discuss the intensity and magnitude scale commonly used to assess seismic damage. Write a note on the global distribution pattern of earthquake. Mark the different seismic zones of India on the given map and discuss about them. IAS 2024, 20 Marks

Geology 2b Discuss in detail the ideas of geomorphic cycle proposed by Davis and Penck. IAS 2024, 15 Marks

Geology 2c What do contours represent in a toposheet? How do the contour lines help to identify the different geomorphic features of an area? Explain with neat diagrams. IAS 2024, 15 Marks

 

Geology 3a Discuss in detail, with diagrams, the landforms and features resulting from deposition by rivers. IAS 2024, 20 Marks

Geology 3b Describe the characteristics of Indian remote sensing satellites. IAS 2024, 15 Marks

Geology 3c Diagrammatically explain the formation of normal fault, strike-slip fault and thrust fault with the help of stress ellipsoid. IAS 2024, 15 Marks

 

Geology 4a Describe fold geometry. Illustrate various types of folds on the basis of their symmetry, orientation of axial plane and the trend of the fold axis. IAS 2024, 20 Marks

Geology 4b Describe and illustrate different types of plate boundaries, and explain the mechanism of plate motion. IAS 2024, 15 Marks

Geology 4c "At depth of compensation, the pressure generated by all overlying landmass substances on the earth is everywhere equal." Describe the hypotheses which support this statement. IAS 2024, 15 Marks

 

SECTION-B

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

Geology 5a Define species and explain how paleontological species are different from biological species. IAS 2024, 10 Marks

Geology 5b Discuss the geological parameters used to subdivide the Dharwar Craton into two subcratons. IAS 2024, 10 Marks

Geology 5c Describe the Cretaceous volcanic province in India. UPSC 2024, 10 Marks

Geology 5d Describe how Darcy's law and Reynolds' number are related to the types of fluid flow in aquifers. IAS 2024, 10 Marks

Geology 5e Describe the rehabilitation measures required in landslide-affected area to restore the community and the ecology of the area affected.  IAS 2024, 10 Marks

 

Geology 6a Elucidate the evolutionary trend of Proboscidea with examples. IAS 2024, 20 Marks

Geology 6b Describe lithostratigraphic classification and shift of depositional environments during deposition of the Vindhyan Supergroup. Comment on the age of the Vindhyan succession. IAS 2024, 15 Marks

Geology 6c Describe briefly the characteristics of different types of aquifers and also discuss the important properties that an aquifer should possess. IAS 2024, 15 Marks

 

Geology 7a Discuss the merits and limitations of different methods of stratigraphic analysis in brief. Comment on the most suitable method of stratigraphic analysis with justification. IAS 2024, 20 Marks

Geology 7b Describe in brief various types of organic-walled microfossils. Add a note on their biostratigraphic and paleogeographic significance. IAS 2024, 15 Marks

Geology 7c Describe the types of geological investigation required before construction of a highway in the Himalayas. IAS 2024, 15 Marks

 

Geology 8a Explain the concept of drainage basin morphometry. How do morphometric parameters influence the groundwater conditions of an area? IAS 2024, 20 Marks

Geology 8b Discuss various modes of preservation of fossils. IAS 2024, 15 Marks

Geology 8c Discuss the evolution of the Himalayas. Illustrate your answer with suitable labelled sketches. IAS 2024, 15 Marks