Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

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The Vembanad Lake Rejuvenation Project, led by the Alappuzha District Administration, is inspired by the Namami Gange Programme for river conservation. A five-year plan worth ₹188.25 crore has been submitted to the Chief Minister of Kerala and may be revised based on studies by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM). Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India and the largest in Kerala, stretching about 96.5 kilometres. It spreads across Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts, covering around 2,033 square kilometres. The lake is known by names like Vembanad Kayal, Punnamada Lake, and Kochi Lake in different regions. It receives water from six rivers, including Meenachil, Achankovil, Pamba, and Manimala, and drains into the Arabian Sea.

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A massive explosion recently hit Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, causing a huge fire and leading to many deaths and injuries. The blast is suspected to have been caused by sodium perchlorate, a chemical used in ballistic missile propulsion. Shahid Rajaee Port is Iran’s largest and most advanced commercial port. It is located near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route through which about 26% of the world’s oil is transported. The port manages 85% of Iran’s container cargo, 52% of its oil trade, and over half of its total maritime cargo. It lies along the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), linking the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea, Russia, and Northern Europe.

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Scientists from the University of Oxford have suggested a new way to monitor volcanic eruptions using a method called shear-wave splitting. Shear-wave splitting happens when seismic waves travel at different speeds depending on their direction, especially through rocks with tiny cracks. This technique was studied at Mount Ontake in Japan, which is an active stratovolcano located on Honshū Island, near Tokyo. Mount Ontake is Japan’s second-highest volcano and lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

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Recently, the US President instructed his administration to rebuild and expand Alcatraz, the notorious prison that has been closed for over 60 years on an isolated island off California’s coast. Alcatraz Island, also known as “The Rock,” is a rocky landmass in San Francisco Bay, United States. In 1849, the island was sold to the U.S. government and became home to the first California lighthouse in 1854. By 1859, the first permanent army troops were stationed there, and in 1861, it became a military prison. In 1934, Alcatraz became a federal prison, housing some of the most dangerous criminals. The prison had the capacity to hold over 330 prisoners, but typically housed around 260 at a time. Known as the most inescapable prison in the United States, it operated as a maximum-security facility until 1963.

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The Shakargarh Bulge is a strategic area in Pakistani territory that sticks into India, located between the Ravi and Chenab rivers. It has flat terrain and lies close to key Indian cities like Amritsar, Pathankot, Batala, and Gurdaspur, with important road links to Jammu. This makes it a critical military corridor for both India and Pakistan. Recently, a major build-up of tanks and armoured vehicles by the Pakistan Army was spotted here. The area is historically significant as the site of the 12-day Battle of Basantar during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, which influenced the western front’s outcome.

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Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island in Indonesia recently erupted, sending volcanic ash nearly a kilometer into the sky. It is located on Flores Island, Indonesia. The volcano is in East Nusa Tenggara province. Mount Lewotobi is part of a twin-volcano system, with Lewotobi Laki-laki (male) erupting, while Lewotobi Perempuan (female) remains inactive. Both are stratovolcanoes, formed by repeated layers of lava, making them common globally. Indonesia frequently experiences volcanic eruptions as it lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area prone to earthquakes, volcanic activity, and tsunamis due to active tectonic plates.

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The Perito Moreno Glacier is experiencing alarming changes. The glacier has been losing ice mass at about 0.85 meters per year since 2015. This rapid melting threatens local ecosystems and contributes to rising global sea levels.The Perito Moreno Glacier is located in Argentina. Specifically, it’s situated in the Argentine province of Santa Cruz, within the Los Glaciares National Park. It recently lost a massive block of ice, sparking concerns about its long-term stability. Known as the ‘White Giant’, it spans 250 square kilometres and formed around 18,000 years ago. It is a major freshwater source and has been part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site since 1981.

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Recently, Mount Etna volcano on Sicily island in Italy erupted, drawing global attention. It is the highest mountain on a Mediterranean island and the most active stratovolcano in the world. It is also recognised as a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site.

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Ukraine recently claimed to have attacked the Kerch Strait Bridge, also known as the Crimean Bridge, using underwater explosives. The Kerch Bridge, opened in 2018, is both a road and rail link connecting Russia to Crimea across the Kerch Strait. The Kerch Strait is a narrow waterway that links the Sea of Azov with the Black Sea and is around 4 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. It is an important shipping route and strategic access point.

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Recently, two oil tankers named Adalynn and Front Eagle caught fire after a collision near the Strait of Hormuz, raising global concerns about energy security and trade stability. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow and strategic waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. It lies between Iran on the north and the Arabian Peninsula on the south, specifically the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Musandam region of Oman. This route is vital for global oil transport, with a large share of the world’s oil passing through it daily.