Q5
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) Define species and explain how paleontological species are different from biological species. (10 marks) (b) Discuss the geological parameters used to subdivide the Dharwar Craton into two subcratons. (10 marks) (c) Describe the Cretaceous volcanic province in India. (10 marks) (d) Describe how Darcy's law and Reynolds' number are related to the types of fluid flow in aquifers. (10 marks) (e) Describe the rehabilitation measures required in landslide-affected area to restore the community and the ecology of the area affected. (10 marks)
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक प्रश्न का लगभग 150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए : (a) प्रजाति को परिभाषित कीजिए तथा स्पष्ट कीजिए कि जीवाश्मिकीय प्रजातियाँ जैविक प्रजातियों से किस प्रकार भिन्न हैं। (10 अंक) (b) धारवाड़ क्रैटन को दो उप-क्रैटनों में प्रविभाजित करने के लिए उपयोग किए जाने वाले भूवैज्ञानिक मापदंडों पर चर्चा कीजिए। (10 अंक) (c) भारत में क्रीटेशियस ज्वालामुखी शैलक्षेत्र का वर्णन कीजिए। (10 अंक) (d) डार्सी नियम तथा रेनॉल्ड्स नम्बर कैसे जलभृत में विभिन्न तरल प्रवाह से सम्बन्धित हैं? वर्णन कीजिए। (10 अंक) (e) भूस्खलन प्रभावित क्षेत्र में समुदाय और पारिस्थितिकी को बहाल करने के लिए आवश्यक पुनर्वास उपायों पर प्रकाश डालिए। (10 अंक)
Directive word: Describe
This question asks you to describe. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.
See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.
How this answer will be evaluated
Approach
This multi-part question requires describing five distinct geological topics with equal 10-mark weighting. Allocate approximately 30 words per sub-part (150 words total), spending roughly equal time on each. For (a), define species then contrast paleontological vs biological criteria; for (b), identify the Western and Eastern Dharwar subcratons using structural, lithological and geochronological parameters; for (c), characterize the Deccan Traps' extent, stratigraphy and petrology; for (d), explain Darcy's law for laminar flow and Reynolds' number for flow regime determination; for (e), outline bioengineering and structural measures for landslide rehabilitation. No single conclusion needed; each part stands alone.
Key points expected
- (a) Definition of species (Mayr's biological species concept) vs paleontological species (morphospecies, chronospecies); temporal dimension and reproductive isolation criteria
- (b) Western Dharwar Craton (3.0-3.4 Ga TTG gneisses, greenstone belts, E-W trending) vs Eastern Dharwar Craton (2.5-2.7 Ga juvenile crust, N-S trending, Kolar schist belt); geochronological and structural distinctions
- (c) Deccan Traps as Cretaceous-Paleogene flood basalt province; ~67-64 Ma; tholeiitic composition; three subgroups (Upper, Middle, Lower); Deccan Syneclise; Rajmahal-Sylhet traps
- (d) Darcy's law (v = -K/μ × dh/dl) for laminar flow in porous media; Reynolds' number (Re = ρvd/μ) determining laminar vs turbulent flow; critical Re ~1-10 for groundwater
- (e) Structural measures (retaining walls, drainage, slope grading); bioengineering (afforestation, vetiver grass); community resettlement; ecological restoration of Western Ghats/Himalayan cases
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concept correctness | 25% | 12.5 | Precise definitions across all parts: Mayr's reproductive isolation for (a), TTG vs granite-greenstone distinctions for (b), tholeiitic flood basalt geochemistry for (c), correct Darcy velocity vs specific discharge for (d), integrated watershed management for (e); no conceptual conflation between sub-disciplines | Generally correct definitions with minor errors: vague species concepts, confused craton boundaries, generic volcanic description, muddled Darcy-Reynolds relationship, generic landslide measures without specificity | Fundamental misconceptions: equating Darcy and Reynolds directly, treating Deccan Traps as intrusive, confusing Western/Eastern Dharwar criteria, or describing species only biologically without paleontological contrast |
| Diagram / cross-section | 15% | 7.5 | Sketches Dharwar Craton subdivision map with E-W vs N-S trends for (b); Deccan Traps stratigraphic column with three subgroups for (c); Darcy experimental setup or flow regime diagram (laminar-turbulent transition) for (d); landslide stabilization cross-section for (e) | Mentions diagrams but describes verbally without clear visual structure; or draws generic diagrams lacking specific labels for the Indian context | No diagrams attempted where clearly needed (Darcy flow, craton boundaries, landslide profiles); or entirely inappropriate diagrams |
| Field evidence | 20% | 10 | Cites specific field markers: type fossils for paleontological species (e.g., Siwalik vertebrates); Kolar gold fields and Hutti-Muski greenstone belts for Dharwar division; Western Ghats escarpment and Rajahmundry traps for Deccan; piezometer data for Darcy validation; Malin/Varunavat landslide case studies for rehabilitation | Generic field references without specific localities; mentions 'greenstone belts' or 'flood basalts' without naming Indian examples | No field evidence cited; purely theoretical treatment of all five parts; or incorrect field associations (e.g., citing Archaean fossils) |
| Quantitative reasoning | 20% | 10 | Correct Darcy equation with hydraulic conductivity (K) and hydraulic gradient; Reynolds' number formula with critical values; mentions Deccan Traps volume (~1.5 million km³) or eruption rates; quantitative age constraints (3.0-3.4 Ga vs 2.5-2.7 Ga) for Dharwar; slope angle calculations for landslide stability | Qualitative mention of equations without variables; vague 'millions of years' without specific dates; no numerical treatment of flow regimes | Missing quantitative dimension entirely; or incorrect formulas (e.g., confusing hydraulic conductivity with permeability, wrong Reynolds' number expression) |
| Indian / economic relevance | 20% | 10 | Links each part to Indian significance: Dharwar gold and iron ore resources; Deccan Traps groundwater aquifers and basalt weathering for soil fertility; Darcy's law application to Indian alluvial aquifers (Indo-Gangetic plains); landslide rehabilitation in Himalayan/ Western Ghat infrastructure corridors (NH-58, Konkan Railway); paleontological heritage (Siwalik fossils, Gondwana floras) | Mentions Indian localities without economic or societal implications; or treats topics as purely academic exercises | No Indian context provided; generic global treatment applicable anywhere; misses economic significance of Dharwar metallogeny or Deccan groundwater |
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