geography

Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), Significance, Major Challenges

Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) in News The Centre has proposed forming a 13-member technical committee to evaluate the “carrying capacity” of 13 Himalayan States in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The carrying capacity of an area can be defined as...

Latitudes and Longitudes in World Map, Check What is IDL and IST?

Latitude and longitude constitute a coordinate system employed to pinpoint and locate positions on Earth's surface. Latitudes, resembling horizontal circles, extend parallel to the equator, determining the distance north or south of a location. Meanwhile, longitudes, called meridians, are vertical...

Solar Storms Impact on Earth

Context Earth experienced a powerful solar storm, and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) shared observations of the geomagnetic event from various perspectives, including those from its own solar mission, Aditya L1. Additionally, the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter detected emissions from the...

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...

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...