🔆 Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) & Indian Monsoon 🌧️
📍 What is IOD?
The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is a climate phenomenon caused by temperature differences between the eastern (Bay of Bengal) and western (Arabian Sea) regions of the Indian Ocean. It greatly impacts the Indian monsoon and rainfall distribution.
🔹 Positive IOD:
✅ Warmer West, Cooler East - Warmer sea temperatures in the west and cooler in the east create favorable conditions for rainfall.
✅ Enhanced Monsoon - Strengthens monsoon circulation, increasing rainfall in central India.
✅ Increased Rainfall - Observed above-average rainfall in central India during positive IOD years.
🔻 Negative IOD:
✅ Cooler West, Warmer East - Temperature reversal leads to a weaker monsoon.
✅ Weaker Monsoon - Disrupts monsoon circulation, causing a delayed or weak monsoon.
✅ Drought Risk - Potential drought conditions, particularly in central and eastern India, with below-average rainfall.
#Geography
📍 What is IOD?
The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is a climate phenomenon caused by temperature differences between the eastern (Bay of Bengal) and western (Arabian Sea) regions of the Indian Ocean. It greatly impacts the Indian monsoon and rainfall distribution.
🔹 Positive IOD:
✅ Warmer West, Cooler East - Warmer sea temperatures in the west and cooler in the east create favorable conditions for rainfall.
✅ Enhanced Monsoon - Strengthens monsoon circulation, increasing rainfall in central India.
✅ Increased Rainfall - Observed above-average rainfall in central India during positive IOD years.
🔻 Negative IOD:
✅ Cooler West, Warmer East - Temperature reversal leads to a weaker monsoon.
✅ Weaker Monsoon - Disrupts monsoon circulation, causing a delayed or weak monsoon.
✅ Drought Risk - Potential drought conditions, particularly in central and eastern India, with below-average rainfall.
#Geography
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🔆 Pollution Dome
📍 Definition
✅ Formed when unfavorable atmospheric conditions trap pollutants in urban areas, causing smog buildup.
📍 Contributing Factors
✅ Stagnant Air: Calm winds trap pollutants.
✅ Temperature Inversions: Warm air traps cooler air, preventing vertical dispersion.
✅ Geographic Bottlenecks: Mountains/valleys restrict air movement, trapping pollutants.
📍 Additional Factors
✅ Industrial Activity: Emissions from factories, power plants, and vehicles worsen pollution in stagnant air.
✅ Unfavorable Weather Patterns: Systems like anticyclones limit atmospheric mixing, trapping pollutants closer to the ground.
#Geography
#environment
📍 Definition
✅ Formed when unfavorable atmospheric conditions trap pollutants in urban areas, causing smog buildup.
📍 Contributing Factors
✅ Stagnant Air: Calm winds trap pollutants.
✅ Temperature Inversions: Warm air traps cooler air, preventing vertical dispersion.
✅ Geographic Bottlenecks: Mountains/valleys restrict air movement, trapping pollutants.
📍 Additional Factors
✅ Industrial Activity: Emissions from factories, power plants, and vehicles worsen pollution in stagnant air.
✅ Unfavorable Weather Patterns: Systems like anticyclones limit atmospheric mixing, trapping pollutants closer to the ground.
#Geography
#environment
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Topper's recommended mains value addition
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Forwarded from CSE EXAM ( UPSC prelims mains) CAPF
CSP-2025-WR-NameList-Engl-110625.pdf
2 MB
Name Wise 2025 Pre
Forwarded from Environment & Ecology UPSC prelims mains
🔆 Oil Pollution
📍 Examples
✅ Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (2010): Largest marine oil spill in Gulf of Mexico.
✅ Ennore Oil Spill (2017): Collision off Chennai coast, impacting marine life and fishermen.
✅ MV Wakashio Spill (2020): Ship ran aground off Mauritius, spilling oil in a biodiversity-rich area.
📍 Causes
✅ Oil spills from tankers, offshore rigs.
✅ Leakages from drilling, transportation.
✅ Ballast water discharge, pipeline ruptures.
📍 Consequences
✅ Environmental: Marine life death, long-term damage to ecosystems.
✅ Economic: Livelihood loss, high cleanup costs.
✅ Health Hazards: Skin disorders, respiratory issues, contamination of seafood.
📍 Steps Taken
✅ International: MARPOL Convention, OPRC, IMO standards.
✅ India: NOS-DCP, INCOIS oil spill trajectory model.
📍 Way Forward
✅ Enforce safety regulations, improve warning systems, develop response capacity, promote bioremediation techniques.
#environment #mains
Join @PIB_UPSC
@upsc_4_environment
📍 Examples
✅ Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (2010): Largest marine oil spill in Gulf of Mexico.
✅ Ennore Oil Spill (2017): Collision off Chennai coast, impacting marine life and fishermen.
✅ MV Wakashio Spill (2020): Ship ran aground off Mauritius, spilling oil in a biodiversity-rich area.
📍 Causes
✅ Oil spills from tankers, offshore rigs.
✅ Leakages from drilling, transportation.
✅ Ballast water discharge, pipeline ruptures.
📍 Consequences
✅ Environmental: Marine life death, long-term damage to ecosystems.
✅ Economic: Livelihood loss, high cleanup costs.
✅ Health Hazards: Skin disorders, respiratory issues, contamination of seafood.
📍 Steps Taken
✅ International: MARPOL Convention, OPRC, IMO standards.
✅ India: NOS-DCP, INCOIS oil spill trajectory model.
📍 Way Forward
✅ Enforce safety regulations, improve warning systems, develop response capacity, promote bioremediation techniques.
#environment #mains
Join @PIB_UPSC
@upsc_4_environment
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🔆 Key Glaciers of Antarctica: Features & Significance
✅ Lambert Glacier (East Antarctica):
• World’s largest glacier by volume and length (over 400 km long).
• Flows into the Amery Ice Shelf.
• Vital for studying ice dynamics and climate change.
• Major drainage outlet for the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.
✅ Pine Island Glacier (West Antarctica):
• Rapidly thinning and retreating glacier.
• Part of the Amundsen Sea Embayment.
• Key contributor to global sea-level rise.
• Monitored closely for ice sheet instability.
✅ Thwaites Glacier (West Antarctica):
• Known as the “Doomsday Glacier” for its potential to cause sea-level rise.
• Melting rapidly due to warm ocean currents.
• Critical for understanding future sea-level changes.
• Subject of extensive international research collaborations.
#Glaciers #Antarctica #ClimateChange #SeaLevelRise
✅ Lambert Glacier (East Antarctica):
• World’s largest glacier by volume and length (over 400 km long).
• Flows into the Amery Ice Shelf.
• Vital for studying ice dynamics and climate change.
• Major drainage outlet for the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.
✅ Pine Island Glacier (West Antarctica):
• Rapidly thinning and retreating glacier.
• Part of the Amundsen Sea Embayment.
• Key contributor to global sea-level rise.
• Monitored closely for ice sheet instability.
✅ Thwaites Glacier (West Antarctica):
• Known as the “Doomsday Glacier” for its potential to cause sea-level rise.
• Melting rapidly due to warm ocean currents.
• Critical for understanding future sea-level changes.
• Subject of extensive international research collaborations.
#Glaciers #Antarctica #ClimateChange #SeaLevelRise
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🔆 Rain-Bearing Systems
📍 Arabian Sea Branch
✅ Divides into three streams:
• Western Coast: Heavy rainfall (250 cm) due to orographic effect.
• Narmada-Tapi troughs: Narrow valley system in central India.
• Aravalli Range: Minimal rainfall impact.
📍 Bay of Bengal Branch
✅ Splits into two streams:
• Ganga-Brahmaputra delta: Heavy rainfall, Cherrapunji (1,221 cm) holds record.
• Himalayan foothills: Deflected by mountains, widespread rainfall to Ganges Plain.
📍 Monsoon Break
✅ Dry spells during monsoon, known as break in monsoon, common after a few days of rain.
📍 Retreat in Monsoon
✅ Withdrawal of monsoon winds, known as retreating monsoon, occurs in October-November.
#Geography
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📍 Arabian Sea Branch
✅ Divides into three streams:
• Western Coast: Heavy rainfall (250 cm) due to orographic effect.
• Narmada-Tapi troughs: Narrow valley system in central India.
• Aravalli Range: Minimal rainfall impact.
📍 Bay of Bengal Branch
✅ Splits into two streams:
• Ganga-Brahmaputra delta: Heavy rainfall, Cherrapunji (1,221 cm) holds record.
• Himalayan foothills: Deflected by mountains, widespread rainfall to Ganges Plain.
📍 Monsoon Break
✅ Dry spells during monsoon, known as break in monsoon, common after a few days of rain.
📍 Retreat in Monsoon
✅ Withdrawal of monsoon winds, known as retreating monsoon, occurs in October-November.
#Geography
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🔆 Global Distribution of Earthquakes
📍 Major Seismic Belts
✅ The circum-Pacific seismic belt found along the rim of the Pacific Ocean is the world’s greatest earthquake belt. Around 81% of the world’s largest earthquakes occur here. Known as the “Ring of Fire”.
✅ The Alpide earthquake belt spreads from Java to Sumatra, through the Himalayas, the Mediterranean, and into the Atlantic. It causes about 17% of the world’s earthquakes.
✅ The third belt is the mid-Atlantic Ridge, a submerged divergent plate boundary where tectonic plates are spreading apart.
🔆 Seismic Mapping of India
📍 Seismic Zonation Insights
✅ About 59% of India’s land area is prone to earthquakes.
✅ The seismic map classifies India into 4 seismic zones based on intensity.
✅ Zone V is the most active (Very High Risk), while Zone II is the least active.
➤ Approx. 10.79% in Zone V, 17.49% in Zone IV, 30.79% in Zone III, and 40.93% in Zone II.
#Geography
#disaster_management
📍 Major Seismic Belts
✅ The circum-Pacific seismic belt found along the rim of the Pacific Ocean is the world’s greatest earthquake belt. Around 81% of the world’s largest earthquakes occur here. Known as the “Ring of Fire”.
✅ The Alpide earthquake belt spreads from Java to Sumatra, through the Himalayas, the Mediterranean, and into the Atlantic. It causes about 17% of the world’s earthquakes.
✅ The third belt is the mid-Atlantic Ridge, a submerged divergent plate boundary where tectonic plates are spreading apart.
🔆 Seismic Mapping of India
📍 Seismic Zonation Insights
✅ About 59% of India’s land area is prone to earthquakes.
✅ The seismic map classifies India into 4 seismic zones based on intensity.
✅ Zone V is the most active (Very High Risk), while Zone II is the least active.
➤ Approx. 10.79% in Zone V, 17.49% in Zone IV, 30.79% in Zone III, and 40.93% in Zone II.
#Geography
#disaster_management
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🔆 India Unlikely to Ratify ‘High Seas Treaty’ (BBNJ)
📍 Key Update
✅ India signed the BBNJ (High Seas Treaty) in 2024, but ratification is pending.
✅ Delay due to legal amendments (e.g. Biological Diversity Act).
📍 Global Status
✅ 49 countries have ratified it (as of June 10); 60 required for legal enforcement.
📍 Contentious Issues
✅ Treaty covers resources beyond EEZ, not under any country’s jurisdiction.
✅ India seeks clarity on equitable economic benefit sharing before ratifying.
📍 Key Update
✅ India signed the BBNJ (High Seas Treaty) in 2024, but ratification is pending.
✅ Delay due to legal amendments (e.g. Biological Diversity Act).
📍 Global Status
✅ 49 countries have ratified it (as of June 10); 60 required for legal enforcement.
📍 Contentious Issues
✅ Treaty covers resources beyond EEZ, not under any country’s jurisdiction.
✅ India seeks clarity on equitable economic benefit sharing before ratifying.
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🔆 Cold Lava (Lahar): A Silent but Deadly Force
📍 Context: The Mount Kanlaon volcano in the Philippines recently witnessed rivers of cold lava, also known as lahars.
📌 What is Cold Lava (Lahar)?
✅ A fast-moving slurry of water, volcanic ash, rock fragments, and pumice.
✅ Forms when volcanic ash mixes with heavy rain or when glacial ice melts, even without eruptions.
✅ Moves at high speeds, reaching hundreds of km/h, making it more dangerous than slow-moving lava.
✅ Hot & destructive**—traps heat, **burns everything in its path, causes property damage & loss of life.
✅ Creates floods by damming rivers, harming ecosystems, and increasing flood risks.
⚠️ How to Mitigate Lahars?
✅ Early warning systems & engineering solutions can reduce damage.
✅ Community education on lahar-prone zones saves lives.
🌋 Lava vs. Magma:
🟠 Magma – Found inside the Earth (molten rock in the mantle).
🔴 Lava – Magma that has reached the surface through a volcanic vent.
#ColdLava #Lahar #VolcanoHazards #DisasterPreparedness #Geography
📍 Context: The Mount Kanlaon volcano in the Philippines recently witnessed rivers of cold lava, also known as lahars.
📌 What is Cold Lava (Lahar)?
✅ A fast-moving slurry of water, volcanic ash, rock fragments, and pumice.
✅ Forms when volcanic ash mixes with heavy rain or when glacial ice melts, even without eruptions.
✅ Moves at high speeds, reaching hundreds of km/h, making it more dangerous than slow-moving lava.
✅ Hot & destructive**—traps heat, **burns everything in its path, causes property damage & loss of life.
✅ Creates floods by damming rivers, harming ecosystems, and increasing flood risks.
⚠️ How to Mitigate Lahars?
✅ Early warning systems & engineering solutions can reduce damage.
✅ Community education on lahar-prone zones saves lives.
🌋 Lava vs. Magma:
🟠 Magma – Found inside the Earth (molten rock in the mantle).
🔴 Lava – Magma that has reached the surface through a volcanic vent.
#ColdLava #Lahar #VolcanoHazards #DisasterPreparedness #Geography
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🔆 Cold Lava (Lahar): A Silent but Deadly Force
📍 Context: The Mount Kanlaon volcano in the Philippines recently witnessed rivers of cold lava, also known as lahars.
📌 What is Cold Lava (Lahar)?
✅ A fast-moving slurry of water, volcanic ash, rock fragments, and pumice.
✅ Forms when volcanic ash mixes with heavy rain or when glacial ice melts, even without eruptions.
✅ Moves at high speeds, reaching hundreds of km/h, making it more dangerous than slow-moving lava.
✅ Hot & destructive**—traps heat, **burns everything in its path, causes property damage & loss of life.
✅ Creates floods by damming rivers, harming ecosystems, and increasing flood risks.
⚠️ How to Mitigate Lahars?
✅ Early warning systems & engineering solutions can reduce damage.
✅ Community education on lahar-prone zones saves lives.
🌋 Lava vs. Magma:
🟠 Magma – Found inside the Earth (molten rock in the mantle).
🔴 Lava – Magma that has reached the surface through a volcanic vent.
#ColdLava #Lahar #VolcanoHazards #DisasterPreparedness #Geography
📍 Context: The Mount Kanlaon volcano in the Philippines recently witnessed rivers of cold lava, also known as lahars.
📌 What is Cold Lava (Lahar)?
✅ A fast-moving slurry of water, volcanic ash, rock fragments, and pumice.
✅ Forms when volcanic ash mixes with heavy rain or when glacial ice melts, even without eruptions.
✅ Moves at high speeds, reaching hundreds of km/h, making it more dangerous than slow-moving lava.
✅ Hot & destructive**—traps heat, **burns everything in its path, causes property damage & loss of life.
✅ Creates floods by damming rivers, harming ecosystems, and increasing flood risks.
⚠️ How to Mitigate Lahars?
✅ Early warning systems & engineering solutions can reduce damage.
✅ Community education on lahar-prone zones saves lives.
🌋 Lava vs. Magma:
🟠 Magma – Found inside the Earth (molten rock in the mantle).
🔴 Lava – Magma that has reached the surface through a volcanic vent.
#ColdLava #Lahar #VolcanoHazards #DisasterPreparedness #Geography
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🔆Brahmani River:
✅It is one of the major rivers in eastern India, primarily flowing through
✅The river is known as Dhamra in its lower reaches.
Course:
✅It is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers near the major industrial town of Rourkela in Odisha.
✅Both the sources of the Brahmani River are on the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
✅The Sankh River has its origins near the Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh border, along with the South Koel River, which also rises in Jharkhand.
✅The basin flows through Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, draining a total area of 39,033 sq.km. before it outfalls into the Bay of Bengal.
✅Together with the rivers Mahanadi and Baitarani, it forms a large delta before emptying into the Bay of Bengal at Palmyras Point, Odisha.
✅The Brahmani delta is the site of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, famous for its estuarine crocodiles.
Length: The total length of its run is about 799 km, of which 541 km are in Odisha itself.
✅It is one of the few rivers that cut across the Eastern Ghats and has formed a minor gorge at Rengali in Odisha, where a dam has been built.
✅Tributaries: The principal tributaries of this river are Sankh, Tikra, and Karo.
#River_Series
#Places_in_news
Join @Mapping_prelims_mains
✅It is one of the major rivers in eastern India, primarily flowing through
✅The river is known as Dhamra in its lower reaches.
Course:
✅It is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers near the major industrial town of Rourkela in Odisha.
✅Both the sources of the Brahmani River are on the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
✅The Sankh River has its origins near the Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh border, along with the South Koel River, which also rises in Jharkhand.
✅The basin flows through Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, draining a total area of 39,033 sq.km. before it outfalls into the Bay of Bengal.
✅Together with the rivers Mahanadi and Baitarani, it forms a large delta before emptying into the Bay of Bengal at Palmyras Point, Odisha.
✅The Brahmani delta is the site of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, famous for its estuarine crocodiles.
Length: The total length of its run is about 799 km, of which 541 km are in Odisha itself.
✅It is one of the few rivers that cut across the Eastern Ghats and has formed a minor gorge at Rengali in Odisha, where a dam has been built.
✅Tributaries: The principal tributaries of this river are Sankh, Tikra, and Karo.
#River_Series
#Places_in_news
Join @Mapping_prelims_mains
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📍Schengen area
✅The zone is known after Schengen, the tiny Luxembourg village bordering France and Germany, where the agreement was signed in 1985 among five of the six EU founding members except Italy.
✅Currently, it is an area encompassing 27 European countries that have officially abolished border controls at their mutual borders.
✅It mostly functions as a single jurisdiction under a common visa policy for international travel purposes.
✅Croatia, a EU member since 2013, joined Schengen in 2023, while Romania and Bulgaria, EU members since 2007, will gain partial Schengen entry from 31 March 2024.
✅The zone is known after Schengen, the tiny Luxembourg village bordering France and Germany, where the agreement was signed in 1985 among five of the six EU founding members except Italy.
✅Currently, it is an area encompassing 27 European countries that have officially abolished border controls at their mutual borders.
✅It mostly functions as a single jurisdiction under a common visa policy for international travel purposes.
✅Croatia, a EU member since 2013, joined Schengen in 2023, while Romania and Bulgaria, EU members since 2007, will gain partial Schengen entry from 31 March 2024.
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🔆 Factors Responsible for Localization of Agro-Based Food Processing Industries in North-West India
(UPSC Mains 2019)
📍 Region Covered: Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, parts of Rajasthan
📍 Key Contributing Factors
✅ Raw Material Availability
• Fertile alluvial plains enable intensive agriculture
• Rich in wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits & vegetables
✅ Irrigation & Water Resources
• Extensive canal networks like Indira Gandhi Canal
• Widespread tubewell irrigation ensures reliable water supply
✅ Favorable Climate
• Temperate conditions support perishable crop cultivation (fruits, vegetables)
✅ Well-Developed Transport Network
• Dense rail & road systems help raw material procurement and market linkage
✅ Policy Support
• States like Punjab & Haryana offer subsidies, tax benefits, & infrastructure via food processing policies
✅ Mandis & Cold Chains
• Strong presence of regulated mandis
• Expanding cold storage and logistics chains enhance supply-chain efficiency
✅ Skilled & Semi-Skilled Workforce
• Availability of local & migrant labor for production, packaging, and logistics
✅ Proximity to Large Markets
• Delhi NCR & major cities act as key consumption hubs for processed food
✅ Research & Extension Support
• Institutions like Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) aid with R&D, innovation, and farmer outreach
🔆 Conclusion
A synergistic mix of agri-resource richness, policy incentives, market access, and infrastructure has made North-West India a hub for agro-based food processing industries.
#Geography
(UPSC Mains 2019)
📍 Region Covered: Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, parts of Rajasthan
📍 Key Contributing Factors
✅ Raw Material Availability
• Fertile alluvial plains enable intensive agriculture
• Rich in wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits & vegetables
✅ Irrigation & Water Resources
• Extensive canal networks like Indira Gandhi Canal
• Widespread tubewell irrigation ensures reliable water supply
✅ Favorable Climate
• Temperate conditions support perishable crop cultivation (fruits, vegetables)
✅ Well-Developed Transport Network
• Dense rail & road systems help raw material procurement and market linkage
✅ Policy Support
• States like Punjab & Haryana offer subsidies, tax benefits, & infrastructure via food processing policies
✅ Mandis & Cold Chains
• Strong presence of regulated mandis
• Expanding cold storage and logistics chains enhance supply-chain efficiency
✅ Skilled & Semi-Skilled Workforce
• Availability of local & migrant labor for production, packaging, and logistics
✅ Proximity to Large Markets
• Delhi NCR & major cities act as key consumption hubs for processed food
✅ Research & Extension Support
• Institutions like Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) aid with R&D, innovation, and farmer outreach
🔆 Conclusion
A synergistic mix of agri-resource richness, policy incentives, market access, and infrastructure has made North-West India a hub for agro-based food processing industries.
#Geography
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