Physical Geography & Geomorphology

Overview

Mains physical geography asks for processes behind landforms and for changes in critical geographical features such as glaciers and water bodies.

Key points

• Davis’s cycle of erosion described landforms passing through youth, maturity and old age; Penck emphasised the balance of uplift and erosion.
• Plate tectonics explains mountains, earthquakes and volcanoes.
• The Himalaya is a young fold mountain range still rising.
• The syllabus asks about changes in critical geographical features such as glaciers, water bodies and ice caps.
• Himalayan glaciers are retreating, affecting river flows.
• Wetlands and lakes are shrinking due to encroachment and pollution.

Practice MCQs

1. From the perspective of definition and scope, which one of the following statements about Physical Geography & Geomorphology is correct?

   1. Landforms reflect interactions among tectonics, rock structure, weathering, erosion, deposition and time.
   2. Every major landform can be explained by a single geomorphic process acting alone.
   3. Physical Geography & Geomorphology is unrelated to institutions, processes or real-world applications.
   4. Physical Geography & Geomorphology has no exceptions or limitations in exam analysis.

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   Answer: (a) Landforms reflect interactions among tectonics, rock structure, weathering, erosion, deposition and time.. Landforms reflect interactions among tectonics, rock structure, weathering, erosion, deposition and time.

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2. Consider the following statements on Physical Geography & Geomorphology, focusing on definition and scope: 1. Landforms reflect interactions among tectonics, rock structure, weathering, erosion, deposition and time. 2. Every major landform can be explained by a single geomorphic process acting alone. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. 1 only
   2. 2 only
   3. Both 1 and 2
   4. Neither 1 nor 2

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   Answer: (a) 1 only. Statement 1 is correct; Statement 2 is a common misconception.

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More topics in this chapter

• Urbanization & Migration
• Globalization & Social Change
• Communalism, Regionalism & Secularism