Glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF)
Context: At least 10 people have been killed and 80, including 23 Army personnel, are missing in Sikkim after the South Lhonak Lake – a glacial lake situated in the state’s northwest at 17,000 ft – burst due to incessant rains. This resulted in the rise of water levels in (downstream areas) Teesta River that […]
About The Annular Solar Eclipse
Context: The Annular solar eclipse will occur on October 14 and will be visible across different parts of the world. Relevance: GS-I Geography Dimensions of the Article: Solar eclipse Types of Solar Eclipse Total Solar Eclipse: Partial Solar Eclipse: Annular Solar Eclipse: Hybrid Solar Eclipse (Annular-Total Eclipse): Why does the Solar Eclipse not occur during […]
About The Pink Diamond
Context: Recently, Western Australian scientists unearthed a story behind the formation of pink diamonds, connecting it to the ancient supercontinent Nuna, and the mysterious geological activities it experienced over 1.3 billion years ago. Relevance: GS I: Geography Dimensions of the Article: About Pink diamonds: Rarity and Coveted Gemstones: Unique Crystalline Structures: Origin from the Kimberley […]
Libya’s Catastrophic Flooding
Context: More than 5,000 people are known to have died and thousands more are missing after devastating floods swept through the Libyan port city of Derna. Entire neighbourhoods disappeared into the sea as a huge tsunami-like torrent of water swept through the city. Relevance: GS I: Geography Dimensions of the Article: Factors Behind the Catastrophic […]
Unprecedented August 2023 Rainfall Deficit Challenges India’s Water Resources
Context: In August 2023, India, heavily dependent on monsoon rains, faced an exceptional challenge with a severe rainfall deficit. This deficit has led to a significant drop in water levels in the country’s vital reservoirs, sparking concerns about water supply for households, industries, and power generation. Historically, August is a month of substantial reservoir water […]
About The Heat Index
Context: Earlier in August, Iran recorded a scorching heat index of 70 degrees Celsius (°C) in the coastal part of the country, a metric at which survival of life is unfathomable, if not impossible. The country had also declared public holidays on August 2 and 3 on account of “unprecedented heat,” Reuters reported. Relevance: GS […]
Impact of Human Activities on El Nino and La Nina Events
Context: A recent study highlights concerns regarding the influence of human activities on El Nino and La Nina events. It suggests that the Walker Circulation has shifted since the industrial era, potentially leading to an increased occurrence of multi-year El Nino and La Nina events. Relevance: GS I: Geography Dimensions of the Article: Walker Circulation: […]
About The Zealandia
Context: Geoscientists recently discovered a continent known as Zealandia that had been hiding in plain sight for almost 375 years. Relevance: GS I: Geography, Facts for Prelims Zealandia: Formation: Tectonic Plate Boundaries: -Source: Times Now
Super Blue Moon
Context: On August 30, 2023, the night sky was illuminated by a rare phenomenon: a super blue moon. However, despite its name, this full moon was neither blue in colour nor super in size. The last blue supermoon was in 2009, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the next is not […]
The Fujiwhara effect
Context: The United States west coast recently witnessed Hurricane Hilary (a sub-tropical storm by the time it hit the US), prompting the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) to issue its first ever tropical storm watch for parts of Southern California. This was the latest incident in a string of unusual weather phenomena in the region. Relevance: […]