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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A 10-year artificial reef project at Vaan Island created socio-ecological benefits worth ₹61.67 crore, more than double its inflation-adjusted cost. The study was done by the Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission and its partners. Vaan Island is located in the Gulf of Mannar. It is part of the Tuticorin group of islands in Tamil Nadu. The island faced severe coastal erosion and shrinking land area.

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A recent study at Kole Wetlands recorded 12 species of pygmy grasshoppers. It is located in Kerala and is a Ramsar site since 2002. The name ‘Kole’ means “bumper crop” in Malayalam due to high productivity. It is one of the largest, most productive and threatened wetlands in Kerala. The area is low-lying with a narrow central strip and cultivated pockets. It faces seasonal saltwater ingression and monsoon submergence.

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The Embassy of India in Seoul issues an advisory for Indian nationals travelling to Jeju Island under the visa waiver scheme. Jeju Island is a volcanic island located off the southern coast of South Korea. It is designated as a special autonomous province of South Korea. The island is oval in shape and is the largest as well as the southernmost island of the country. Its provincial capital is Jeju City. The island is formed from volcanic material that rises symmetrically to the summit of Mount Hallasan.

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Researchers found that Mai Ndombe and Tumba lakes in the Democratic Republic of Congo are releasing carbon stored for thousands of years in surrounding peatlands. Peatlands are terrestrial wetland ecosystems with waterlogged conditions that prevent full decomposition of plant material. Lake Mai Ndombe is Africa’s largest blackwater lake, part of the Congo River Basin, located in western Democratic Republic of Congo. Lake Tumba is located in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo.

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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an urgent advisory to all Indian carriers to avoid flying through the West Asian and Persian Gulf airspace due to rising military tensions. The Persian Gulf is a marginal sea of the Indian Ocean located in Western Asia. It is an extension of the Gulf of Oman and connects to the Indian Ocean through the Strait of Hormuz in the east. The Persian Gulf is also known as the Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Iran.

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Recently, a 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Kirakira in the Solomon Islands. It is located in the south-western Pacific Ocean. The Solomon Islands lie southeast of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu. The country consists of two parallel chains of volcanic islands and small coral atolls. It includes about 1,000 islands, with 6 large main islands and more than 900 smaller ones, of which around 147 are inhabited. The capital city, Honiara, is located on Guadalcanal, the largest island.