UPSC Disaster Management – Chapter 5: Earthquakes and Tsunamis (20 MCQs)

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UPSC Disaster Management – Chapter 5: Earthquakes and Tsunamis (20 MCQs) – 20 questions, subject: Disaster Management. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The seismic zoning map of India is published by the:

Correct Answer: C [Bureau of Indian Standards]

Explanation:

IS 1893.

2.  

Under IS 1893:2016, the highest-risk seismic zone is:

Correct Answer: A [Zone V]

Explanation:

Zone V is the highest of the four zones (II to V) in IS 1893:2016, covering the most active plate-edge regions.

3.  

On the moment magnitude scale, an increase of one whole number means the energy released is roughly:

Correct Answer: A [32 times greater]

Explanation:

Each whole-number step in moment magnitude is about 10 to the power 1.5, roughly 32 times, more energy.

4.  

Which instrument used in India's tsunami warning system sits on the deep-sea floor and detects a passing tsunami from changes in the pressure of the water column above it?

Correct Answer: C [Bottom-pressure recorder]

Explanation:

bottom-pressure recorders on the sea floor sense the extra water of a passing tsunami and send data via ocean buoys to ITEWC.

5.  

The intensity of an earthquake in India is commonly measured on the:

Correct Answer: B [MSK-64 scale]

Explanation:

India measures intensity, the observed effects of shaking at a place, on the MSK-64 scale, which runs from I to XII.

6.  

The epicentre of the Kashmir earthquake of 8 October 2005 lay near:

Correct Answer: B [Muzaffarabad]

Explanation:

The epicentre lay near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, about 19 km to its north-east.

7.  

The Latur earthquake of 1993 was an example of:

Correct Answer: C [an intraplate earthquake]

Explanation:

Latur lies inside the stable Peninsular shield, far from plate boundaries; the 1993 quake occurred on an old fault within the plate.

8.  

The first Indian villages recognised as "Tsunami Ready" by UNESCO-IOC are in:

Correct Answer: A [Odisha]

Explanation:

Venkatraipur and Noliasahi.

9.  

The National Center for Seismology works under the:

Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Earth Sciences]

Explanation:

The National Center for Seismology is an office of the Ministry of Earth Sciences and runs India's national seismic network.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. An earthquake has one magnitude but many intensities.
2. Tsunami waves slow down and grow taller as they approach the coast.
3. Intensity scales measure the energy released at the focus.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2 are correct; statement 3 is wrong because intensity measures effects at a place, while magnitude measures energy.

11.  

Assertion (A): The Andaman and Nicobar Islands lie in a very high seismic zone.

Reason (R): The Indian Plate subducts beneath the Burma microplate along the Andaman arc.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

The islands lie in Zone V because the Indian Plate subducts beneath the Burma microplate along the Andaman arc, so R explains A.

12.  

The first State law on disaster management in India was enacted by:

Correct Answer: D [Gujarat]

Explanation:

Gujarat State DM Act, 2003.

13.  

Which Indian code deals with ductile detailing of reinforced concrete structures for earthquake safety?

Correct Answer: D [IS 13920]

Explanation:

IS 13920 is the BIS code for ductile design and detailing of reinforced concrete structures subjected to seismic forces.

14.  

Which earthquake was the largest recorded in the Indian region and changed river courses in the north-east?

Correct Answer: C [Assam–Tibet 1950]

Explanation:

about 8.6.

15.  

India's relief operation after the 2015 Nepal earthquake was called:

Correct Answer: B [Operation Maitri]

Explanation:

Operation Maitri was India's rescue and relief mission after the April 2015 Gorkha earthquake in Nepal.

16.  

A natural sign that a tsunami may be coming is:

Correct Answer: D [the sea drawing back unusually far from the shore]

Explanation:

Before a tsunami arrives the sea may withdraw unusually far, exposing the seabed – a natural warning to move to high ground.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Indian Ocean tsunami
2. Koyna earthquake
3. Bhuj earthquake
4. Latur earthquake

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [2-4-3-1]

Explanation:

1967, 1993, 2001, 2004.

18.  

In the deep ocean, a tsunami travels at about:

Correct Answer: D [700–800 km/h]

Explanation:

In deep water a tsunami travels at about 700–800 km/h, close to jet-aircraft speed, while its height stays small.

19.  

The first edition of India's earthquake design code, IS 1893, was issued in:

Correct Answer: B [1962]

Explanation:

IS 1893 was first issued in 1962, giving India its first seismic zoning and design code.

20.  

The Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004 was set off by an earthquake:

Correct Answer: D [off Sumatra (Indonesia)]

Explanation:

magnitude about 9.1.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U19 · Disaster Management (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-disaster-management

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