UPSC Mains 2014 · GS I · Q17 · 10 marks · 150 words

Why are the world's fold mountain systems located along the margins of continents ? Bring out the association between the global distribution of fold mountains and the earthquakes and volcanoes.

हिन्दी में

क्या कारण है कि संसार का वलित पर्वत (फोल्डेड माउन्टेन) तंत्र महाद्वीपों के सीमांतों के साथ-साथ अवस्थित है ? वलित पर्वतों के वैश्विक वितरण और भूकंपों एवं ज्वालामुखियों के बीच साहचर्य को उजागर कीजिए ।

Plate tectonicsGeomorphology

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Discuss the global distribution of earthquakes and their multidimensional impact.”

Geetika AroraAIR 22 · CSE 2025 · 211 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Earthquake can be defined as the geological phenomenon associated with trembling/shaking of earth, due to the release of energy.

Global pattern of Earthquake occurrences

Body

Diagram
- Map of the world showing three regions: - (1) Circum Pacific Belt: Region around the Pacific Ocean - (2) Mid Atlantic: Region along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge - (3) Mid Continental: Region spanning Eurasia - Labels: "frequbes etc." - Figure: Distribution of Earthquake

(1) The highest amount of Earthquake occurrences in Circum Pacific Belt also called Ring of fire

  • Here the Pacific ocean plate subsides under

different belts like Nazca Plate, North American plate etc. → This convergent plate boundary saw world's deepest trenches as well. (eg) Mariana trench.

(2) Mid Atlantic belt → Here also, largest earthquake occurences seen.

(3) Mid continental Belt - Here, the earthquake belt spans the entire continents of the world.

(4) Other patterns (i) Transboundary plate movement (Plates glide each other) (eg) African rift valley. (ii) Various faults & cracks (eg) San Andreas fault.

Multidimensional impact of earthquake

(1) led to destruction of property, buildings and infrastructure (eg) the Turkey earthquake 2023.

(2) Cause one of the highest morbidity and mortality of human life.

(3) other impacts like; landslides in the Himalyan region, volcanic erruption etc

(4) Earthquakes can also lead to rise of Tsunamis underwater (eg) 2004 Indian ocean Tsunami.

Way forward

(1) Earthquake disaster management (NDMA 2005) (2) early detection through Ritcher scale. (3) Relief and Rehabilitation.

Close

Thus, Earthquake as a Natural disaster have multidimensal impact, requiring multidimensional approaches to resolve.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Q17. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.