Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

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A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica, as reported by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). The islands are a remote archipelago about 120 km north of the Antarctic Peninsula, discovered in 1819 by William Smith and often called the “jewel of Antarctica.” They were formed by volcanic activity, with some islands still active, especially Deception Island, known for its flooded caldera. More than 80% area is covered with permanent ice, and there are no permanent residents, though countries maintain seasonal research stations.

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Researchers at the University of Utah discovered that freshwater saturates the rock and sediment beneath the Great Salt Lake to depths of up to 13,000 feet. The Great Salt Lake is a saline, endorheic lake located in northern Utah, United States, and it is the largest inland saltwater body in the Western Hemisphere. It is fed by the Bear River, Weber River, and Jordan River, but has no outlet, so water leaves primarily through evaporation. The lake’s salinity is higher than that of the oceans due to high evaporation rates and limited inflow, and it exists in an arid environment similar to the Dead Sea.

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A magnitude 6.2 earthquake recently struck off the east coast of Japan’s largest island, Honshu. Honshu, historically called Akitsushima, is the largest of Japan’s four main islands. It lies between the Pacific Ocean in the east and the Sea of Japan in the west. The island stretches about 1,287 km in a northeast–southwest arc and has varying widths. Honshu covers an area of 227,898 sq.km, making it the world’s seventh-largest island. It has a population of around 104 million, over 80% of Japan’s total population. It is the second-most populous island in the world after Java, Indonesia.

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Mount Semeru, the tallest and one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, recently erupted multiple times, sending ash plumes up to 1,100 metres high. Also known as Mahameru (“The Great Mountain”), it is an active stratovolcano (composite volcano) with a steep profile and frequent explosive eruptions. It is the highest peak on the island of Java and holds cultural and religious significance locally. It is located in East Java as part of the Tengger Massif, which also includes Mount Bromo.

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More than 1,000 Roman artefacts were discovered in Lake Neuchatel, Switzerland, providing insights into life during the Roman Empire. Lake Neuchâtel is the largest lake entirely within Switzerland and lies at the base of the Jura Mountains. It was formed during the last Ice Age (period of extensive glaciation about 15,000 years ago) due to melting glaciers carving valleys. The lake is about 38.3 kilometres (km) long and 8.2 km wide, covering 212.33 square kilometres (sq km).

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The Veli–Akkulam Estuary is located along the coast of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. It is a small, shallow, bar-built estuary forming part of the Kerala backwater system adjoining the Lakshadweep Sea. The estuary is divided by a man-made bund into two parts: Veli (west) and Akkulam (northeast). Its connection to the sea is intermittent, opening mainly during the monsoon through sandbar breaching. It is currently facing degradation due to invasive species, pollution, urban runoff, and encroachment, impacting biodiversity.

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The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has warned about severe ecological degradation of Hokersar Lake, with over 2,500 kanals encroached. Hokersar Lake is a natural wetland near Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, spread over 13.75 square kilometres at an altitude of about 1,585 metres. It lies in the Jhelum River basin and is mainly fed by the Doodhganga River, a tributary of the Jhelum. It is the largest bird sanctuary in Kashmir Valley and a Ramsar site, hosting around 68 species of migratory waterfowl from Siberia, Central Asia, and Northern Europe.

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Hussain Sagar Lake is facing severe foul odour due to heavy algal bloom during rising summer temperatures. Algal bloom occurs due to eutrophication, where excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus enter the water. Hussain Sagar Lake is an artificial lake in Hyderabad, built in 1562 AD under Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. It is located on a tributary of the Musi River and is among Asia’s largest man-made lakes. The lake is also called Tank Bund and connects Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

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Pompeii is a preserved Roman city near Naples, Italy, at the base of Mount Vesuvius. It was founded around the 6th century BCE by the Samnites and later became part of the Roman Empire. The city was destroyed and buried in 79 CE due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The eruption preserved the city under ash, providing a unique snapshot of Roman life. Pompeii was rediscovered in 1748, revealing buildings, artifacts, and human remains. It offers one of the most complete archaeological records of an ancient city. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Recently, AI has helped reconstruct the face and final moments of a victim of the eruption.

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Scientists have reported that light pollution is threatening the dark skies of the Atacama Desert, one of the best locations for astronomy. The desert is known for its extremely clear atmosphere and minimal artificial light, making it ideal for observatories. The Atacama Desert is the driest desert in the world, located in northern Chile. It lies between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The region receives extremely low rainfall, with some areas recording no rain. It is known for its clear, dark skies, making it ideal for astronomical observations. Recent concerns highlight that light pollution is threatening its pristine night skies.