Types of Disasters — Set 2
Disaster Management · आपदाओं के प्रकार · Questions 11–20 of 120
Which of the following is a slow-onset disaster?
Correct Answer: C. Drought
Drought is a slow-onset disaster that develops gradually over months or even years as rainfall remains deficient below the seasonal normal. Slow-onset disasters include drought, desertification, sea-level rise, land degradation, and salinization of agricultural land. Because of their gradual development, slow-onset disasters often receive less media attention but can cause greater long-term economic damage than sudden events.
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami was triggered by an earthquake measuring:
Correct Answer: C. 9.1 magnitude
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami was triggered by a 9.1 magnitude undersea megathrust earthquake off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia on December 26, 2004. It is the third largest earthquake ever recorded in history and one of the longest-duration ruptures ever observed, lasting between 8 and 10 minutes. The earthquake caused catastrophic tsunamis that reached as far as the coast of East Africa.
On which date did the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami occur?
Correct Answer: B. December 26, 2004
The Indian Ocean Tsunami occurred on December 26, 2004 — a day also known as Boxing Day — triggering the international name 'Boxing Day Tsunami.' The tsunami was generated by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake near Sumatra and affected 14 countries around the Indian Ocean basin. December 26 is observed globally in memory of the disaster and serves as a reminder of the importance of tsunami early warning systems.
Approximately how many people died globally in the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami?
Correct Answer: C. 2,30,000
Approximately 2,27,898 to 2,30,000 people died in the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. Fourteen countries were affected including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and the Maldives. India alone lost approximately 12,405 people, with Tamil Nadu and Andaman & Nicobar Islands being the worst-affected regions.
Tsunamis are caused by which of the following?
Correct Answer: B. Underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions
Tsunamis are caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, submarine landslides, or meteorite impacts that displace large volumes of ocean water. The word 'tsunami' comes from Japanese meaning 'harbour wave.' Unlike wind-driven surface waves, tsunami waves travel at speeds up to 800 km/h in the deep ocean and can cross entire ocean basins with minimal energy loss.
Barren Island, India's only active volcano, is located in:
Correct Answer: B. Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Barren Island is located in the Andaman Sea, part of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and is India's only confirmed active volcano. It last erupted significantly in 1991 and has shown intermittent activity since, with eruptions also recorded in 2017 and 2018. The volcano is uninhabited and rises about 354 metres above sea level; it is a shield volcano formed by basaltic lava flows.
Which type of geological event involves rapid movement of rock, soil, and debris down a slope?
Correct Answer: C. Landslide
A landslide involves the rapid movement of rock, soil, or debris down a slope under the influence of gravity. Landslides can be triggered by earthquakes, heavy rainfall, volcanic activity, or human activities such as road cutting and deforestation. India is one of the most landslide-prone countries in the world, with over 15% of its land area vulnerable to this hazard.
Which Indian states are most vulnerable to landslides?
Correct Answer: B. Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, NE states
Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the northeastern states are the most landslide-vulnerable regions in India due to their young Himalayan geology, steep terrain, and high rainfall. The northeastern states of Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh regularly experience landslides during the monsoon. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) maintains a National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping project to identify high-risk zones.
Avalanches in India occur most commonly in which areas?
Correct Answer: C. Siachen and Zoji La
Avalanches in India occur most commonly in high-altitude glaciated regions including Siachen Glacier and the Zoji La pass in the Himalayas. Siachen is the world's highest battlefield and experiences frequent avalanches that have claimed many military lives. Avalanches are triggered by heavy snowfall, rapid temperature changes, seismic activity, and human disturbances on snow-covered slopes.
Which type of disaster cascade was observed in the Fukushima disaster of 2011?
Correct Answer: B. Earthquake → tsunami → nuclear accident
The Fukushima disaster of 2011 is the classic example of a cascading disaster: a 9.0 magnitude earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami, which in turn caused cooling system failure at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant leading to a nuclear meltdown. Cascading disasters occur when one hazard event triggers one or more subsequent hazards in a chain reaction. Understanding cascading risks is critical for comprehensive disaster risk assessment.