UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies
Question 45: Geography
The palaeomagnetic results obtained from India indicate that in the past, the Indian land mass has moved
AnswerThe answer is (a).
Palaeomagnetism records the direction of the earth's magnetic field in rocks when they formed. Rocks of the Indian plate show that the landmass was once in the southern hemisphere and has moved northwards since breaking away from Gondwanaland over 100 million years ago, finally colliding with Asia and raising the Himalayas. Remember: India's northward drift built the Himalayas.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: northward.
- (b) A southward movement would take India away from Asia, the opposite of the evidence.
- (c) Eastward motion is not what the magnetic record shows.
- (d) Westward motion is not what the magnetic record shows.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1995, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.