Geology Paper 2 UPSC 2023 with Solutions

In this article, all questions of Geology Optional Paper 2 are answered. Click on the question links to view the answers.
This article is part of Synopsis IAS Geology Optional Course for UPSC IAS and Indian Forest Services.

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Geology Optional Paper 1 UPSC 2023 - Question Paper with Solutions 

Click on the links for the solutions

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :

Geology 1a. How are the symmetry elements in a crystal of class 6/m 2/m 2/m oriented  with respect to its crystallographic axes? UPSC 2023, 10 Marks

Geology 1b. Why do some minerals show pleochroism? Explain UPSC 2023, 10 Marks

Geology 1c. Describe the compositional changes in the magnesium-rich magma due to progressive removal of olivine. UPSC 2023, 10 Marks

Geology 1d. Given a mafic protolith, what would be the characteristic mineral assemblages in (i) greenschist facies, (ii) amphibolite facies and (iii) granulite facies metamorphism? UPSC 2023, 10 Marks

Geology 1e. Explain the diagenetic changes in carbonate rocks. UPSC 2023, 10 Marks

Geology 2a. How does the Bragg equation explain X-ray diffraction from a crystal? UPSC 2023, 20 Marks

Geology 2b. How does Si-O polymerism help to classify silicate minerals? Give one example for each of these silicate subclasses. UPSC 2023, 15 Marks

Geology 2c. List all major differences among kaolinite, smectite and illite groups of clay minerals. UPSC 2023, 15 Marks

Geology 3a. Describe the changes in crystallized solid composition in albite-anorthite system at 1 atm pressure during cooling qf a liquid of An50 composition from 1500 °C temperature. UPSC 2023, 20 Marks

Geology 3b. How is a granite defined? Discuss petrogenesis of a calc-alkaline peraluminous granite. UPSC 2023, 15 Marks

Geology 3c. What are the assumptions involved for plotting quartz-bearing metamorphic rocks of basaltic composition in an ACF triangular diagram? UPSC 2023, 15 Marks

Geology 4a. Classify the conglomerate rocks on the basis of clast composition and grain-matrix ratio and discuss their genetic importance. UPSC 2023, 20 Marks

Geology 4b. Briefly describe the mechanisms of gravity-controlled sediment flows and write about their characteristic features in the rocks. USPC 2023, 15 Marks

Geology 4c. Explain mineral-based techniques to decipher the source terrains and transport history of sediments. Give a list of minerals diagnostic of igneous and metamorphic provenances. USPC 2023, 15 Marks

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :

Geology 5a. Explain the process of manganese nodules formation and give their major occurrences in the world. UPSC 2023, 10 Marks

Geology 5b. Describe the formation of replacement textures in ore minerals and give the criterion of their recognition. UPSC 2023, 10 Marks

Geology 5c. Explain the Kriging method for estimating ore reserve. UPSC 2023, 10 Marks

Geology 5d. Discuss environmental impacts of urbanization and their mitigations with special reference to land and water. UPSC 2023, 10 Marks

Geology 5e. How does coordination number depend on the ratio of ionic radii in a crystal? UPSC 2023, 10 Marks

Geology 6a. Describe the formation of Banded Iron Formation (BIF) during Precambrian metallogenic epoch. Write a note on the Indian BIF deposits. UPSC 2023, 20 Marks

Geology 6b. Discuss the late magmatic ore-forming processes. What are the salient field characters of such ore deposits? UPSC 2023, 15 Marks

Geology 6c. Describe the origin of porphyry copper deposits. Give the geological setup of one porphyry copper deposit of India. UPSC 2023, 15 Marks

Geology 7a. Give an account of external changes in flora due to the presence of anomalous concentration of base metal in a terrain. UPSC 2023, 20 Marks

Geology 7b. Explain the principle for flotation as a benefication technique. Name various parameters that regulate the flotation process. Explain frothing method giving appropriate examples. UPSC 2023, 15 Marks 

Geology 7c. What do you understand by the term 'industrial minerals'? Give examples of any five industrial minerals, their sources, compositions and uses in the industry. UPSC 2023, 15 Marks

Geology 8a. Discuss the causes of various seismic discontinuities in the upper mantle. UPSC 2023, 20 Marks

Geology 8b. Discuss the composition, source, types, environmental hazard and utility of fly ash. UPSC 2023, 15 Marks

Geology 8c. Discuss the hazards in active volcanic terrain during and after eruption. UPSC 2023, 15 Marks