Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, Israeli airstrikes destroyed Qasmiyeh Bridge over Litani River in Lebanon’s southern coastal highway. Litani River is the longest and major river of Lebanon. It originates west of Baalbek and flows southwest through Bekaa Valley between Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountains. It finally drains into the Mediterranean Sea.

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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 7.6 earthquake struck Indonesia’s Northern Molucca Sea, causing damage, one death, tsunami waves, and multiple aftershocks. Molucca Sea is located in the western Pacific Ocean within the Indonesian archipelago. It is bounded by Sulawesi to the west, Halmahera to the east, the Sula Islands to the south, and connects northward to the Philippine Sea. The sea lies over the Molucca Sea Plate, which experiences Divergent Double Subduction — subducting westwards under the Eurasian (Sangihe) Plate and eastwards under the Philippine Sea (Halmahera) Plate. It is a highly active seismic region with frequent earthquakes and crustal movements.

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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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Sakurajima Volcano is located on the southern tip of Kyushu Island near Kagoshima city in Japan. It is one of Japan’s most active stratovolcanoes, with frequent eruptions of varying intensity. It is an andesitic volcano with high viscosity magma and high gas content, leading to explosive eruptions. It lies on a convergent plate boundary and forms part of the Aira Caldera system. The volcano consists of two main peaks: Kitadake (north) and Minamidake (south). Recent eruptions have sent large ash plumes, impacting nearby regions.

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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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The Santiaguito Volcano is an active volcano located in western Guatemala near the city of Quetzaltenango. It was formed after the major 1902 eruption of the Santa María Volcano. It consists of a lava-dome complex and is among the most active volcanic regions in the world. The volcano frequently emits ash and smoke, indicating continuous volcanic activity. Occasionally, it produces lava flows and dangerous pyroclastic flows. Recently, an eruption forced hikers to flee as rocks and volcanic material were ejected into the air.

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China conducted military drills, including live-fire exercises, near Luzon Island, highlighting regional strategic tensions. Luzon is the largest and most important island of the Philippines, located in its northern part. It hosts over half of the country’s population, making it the political and economic centre. The capital city Manila is situated on Luzon. The island is bordered by the Philippine Sea (east), South China Sea (west), and Sibuyan Sea (south). The Luzon Strait lies to its north, separating it from Taiwan.

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Nepal has objected to India resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Lipulekh Pass, citing the 1816 Sugauli Treaty. India has rejected the claim, stating that Lipulekh has been a traditional route for the yatra. Lipulekh Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It lies near the trijunction of India, Nepal, and China, making it strategically significant. The pass connects Uttarakhand in India with the Tibet region of China. It is situated at an altitude of about 5,334 metres (approximately 17,500 feet).

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Ukraine intensified long-range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including the Primorsk and Tuapse regions. Meanwhile, LNG carrier Umm Al Ashtan resumed movement from Dahej to Das Island through the Strait of Hormuz, indicating improving regional stability. Das Island is an island located in the Persian Gulf and belongs to the United Arab Emirates. Das Island is a major strategic hub for oil and liquefied natural gas production and exports. It exports crude oil and liquefied natural gas to countries in Asia and Europe. The island is also ecologically important as a breeding and migratory site for turtles and seabirds.