Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

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The Shiveluch volcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula erupted twice recently, sending ash plumes up to about 8 kilometres above sea level. It is one of the largest and most active volcanoes in Kamchatka, Russia, which is among the most volcanically intense regions in the world. The volcano is approximately 60,000–70,000 years old, indicating a long and active geological history. Shiveluch is a stratovolcano, characterised by steep slopes formed from alternating layers of hardened lava, volcanic ash, and rock debris.

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Indian mountaineer Kabak Yano from Arunachal Pradesh successfully summited Mount Aconcagua in Argentina. The climb is part of her ambitious 7-Summit Mountaineering Expedition. Mt Aconcagua, located in the Andes of Argentina, is the highest peak in South America and outside Asia, standing at 6,962 meters. The mountain is of volcanic origin but is not currently active.

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Piton de la Fournaise, located on the east–southeastern part of Réunion Island in the western Indian Ocean, has erupted for the second time this year. It is a massive basaltic shield volcano, formed by successive lava flows that create broad, gently sloping sides. The volcano is regarded as one of the most active volcanoes in the world due to its frequent eruptions. Its eruptions are typically short-lived and usually begin with spectacular lava fountains, followed by the outpouring of large lava flows.

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Lake Victoria’s water has turned green due to severe ecological damage, mainly from algal blooms. Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa. It lies mainly in Tanzania and Uganda and also borders Kenya. It is known as Victoria Nyanza in Kenya, Nalubaale in Uganda, and Ukerewe in Tanzania. It is crossed by the Equator. It is the second-largest freshwater lake in the world after Lake Superior in North America.

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Naval forces of Iran, Russia and China will conduct a joint military exercise near the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, mainly the United Arab Emirates and Musandam in Oman. The Gulf of Oman lies to the east and the Persian Gulf lies to the west. It is the only sea route connecting the oil-rich Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Iran is on the north coast and the United Arab Emirates is on the south coast.

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Kharg Island is a small coral island in Iran in the northern Persian Gulf, recently discussed in United States strategic debates. It is one of the few Persian Gulf islands with natural freshwater, stored in porous limestone formations. The island has hot, humid summers and its highest point is Mount Didehban. In the early 1960s, discovery of offshore oil fields led to major petroleum and petrochemical infrastructure development. Its strategic importance comes from its location near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route.

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Recently, about 25 visitors were injured after a swarm of bees attacked tourists at Sinhagad Fort, bringing the historic site into news. Sinhagad, earlier known as Kondhana, is an ancient hill fortress located near Pune, Maharashtra, in the Sahyadri range and is believed to be around 2,000 years old. The fort was captured in 1340 CE by Muhammad bin Tughlaq and later controlled by the Nizam Shahi dynasty. Shivaji captured the fort in 1647, but it was handed to the Mughals under the Treaty of Purandar. It was recaptured in 1670 by Tanaji Malusare during the Battle of Sinhagad, where he sacrificed his life. After this victory, the fort was renamed Sinhagad (Lion’s Fort).

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Recently, tourism to Gurudongmar Lake has started reviving after more than two years, following damage caused by the South Lhonak Lake Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) which destroyed road infrastructure. Gurudongmar Lake lies in North Sikkim close to the Tibet border of China. It is one of the highest lakes in India and the world, surrounded by snow-covered Himalayan mountains. The lake is mainly glacier-fed and contributes water to Tso Lhamo Lake, which later forms the source of the Teesta River. It is considered sacred by Buddhists, Sikhs, and Hindus.

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Roopkund Lake, popularly called Skeleton Lake, is a small glacial lake famous for hundreds of human skeletons found around it. It lies at 5,029 metres (16,500 ft) in the Garhwal Himalayas near the base of Mount Trishul, Uttarakhand. The lake is only about 130 feet wide and remains frozen for most of the year, revealing skeletons when ice melts. Skeletons were first noticed in 1942 by a British forest ranger. Scientific studies using radiocarbon dating and DNA analysis found over 300 individuals.

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A professor from the Indian Institute of Science recently summited Nevado Ojos del Salado. It is located in the Andes Mountains on the border between Chile and Argentina. With a height of 6,893 meters, it is the highest mountain in Chile and the highest active stratovolcano in the world. The mountain formed mainly from layers of lava flows and explosive volcanic materials, typical of stratovolcano formation.