geography

Time Standard for Moon: Background, Time Standardization Policy

Context To support missions like Artemis, NASA has been tasked by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) with establishing a standardised timekeeping system for the moon, to be called Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC). This will be...

Taiwan Earthquake, Magnitude, Causes and Impact

Taiwan Earthquake A 7.2 magnitude earthquake (7.4 as per US Geological Survey) struck Taiwan's eastern coast. The epicentre was about 25 km southeast of Hualien. Taiwan Earthquake was reported between 7.2 and 7.4 on the Richter scale struck on March...

What is Kallakkadal Coastal Flooding: Cause and Mechanism

Context Recently, Kerala, India, experienced coastal flooding known as Kallakkadal, induced by remote oceanic storms. This instance, set off by a South Atlantic Ocean low-pressure area, led to the inundation of numerous homes across the districts of Alappuzha, Kollam, and...

Tributaries of Ganga, Right Bank and Left Bank with Map

Tributaries of Ganga River In terms of its basin and cultural significance, the Ganga is the most significant river in India. In Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district, close to Gaumukh (3,900 m), it emerges from the Gangotri glacier. It is referred to...

Katchatheevu Island, Location, Historical Context

Context: Prime Minister Modi criticised the ceding of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka in 1974 by the then Indira Gandhi Government. About Katchatheevu Island Geographical Location: Katchatheevu is a small, uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, positioned northeast of Rameswaram (India)...

Ocean Warming, Issues, Impact and Measures to be Taken

Context The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported that February 2024 saw the highest-ever recorded average global sea surface temperature (SST) of 21.06°C, surpassing the previous record of 20.98°C set in August 2023. This unprecedented increase is part of a...

El Nino Phenomenon and Effect of El Niño 2023-2024 on Global Climate

Context: The 2023-2024 El Niño has become one of the top five strongest recorded, impacting global climate even as it begins to weaken. More in News Global Sea-Surface Temperatures: Despite El Niño's influence, the WMO has observed exceptionally high sea-surface...

Agalega Islands and its Geopolitical Significance

Context: Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius’ PM Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated an airstrip and the St James Jetty on North Agaléga Island in the Indian Ocean. Agaléga Islands A group of two islands belonging to Mauritius Location: Lies...

Natural Disasters, Definition, Types and Examples

Natural disasters are catastrophic events that stem from various natural phenomena on Earth, with a history spanning the planet's 4.54 billion years. These events, ranging from floods and hurricanes to tsunamis and earthquakes, have had profound effects on the environment...

Yamuna River, Origin, Catchment Area, Tributaries, Pollution

Toxic foam was seen floating on the surface of the Yamuna River in Delhi amid alarming air pollution levels in the city. The Yamuna River, which flows through the Indian capital of Delhi, has been plagued by the issue of...