Important Glacier of India MCQs with Explanations (Set-12)
1. Which amongst the following is the largest glacier?
(A) Sasaini
(B) Gangotri
(C) Zemu
(D) Siachin
Answer:- (D) Siachin
Explanation:
- The Siachen Glacier is the longest glacier in India.
- It is almost 76 kilometers in length.
- It is located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Ladakh region, near the borders of India, Pakistan, and China.
- The glacier is the source of the Nubra River, which later joins the Shyok River.
- It is called the highest battlefield in the world because Indian and Pakistani armies are stationed there to guard the borders.
2. The Gangotri Glacier is the main source of _________
(A) Yamuna
(B) Brahmaputra
(C) Ganga
(D) Indus
Answer: (C) Ganga
Explanation:
- Gangotri Glacier is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India.
- The glacier is around 30 kilometers long and 2 to 4 kilometers wide.
- It is the main source of the Ganga River. The river actually starts from a place called Gomukh, which is the snout (end point) of the Gangotri Glacier. From there, the water flows down as the Bhagirathi River. Later, it joins the Alaknanda River at Devprayag, and together they form the Ganga.
- The area is sacred in Hinduism. Pilgrims visit Gomukh and Gangotri Temple to worship the Ganga.
- It lies within the Gangotri National Park.
On the other hand:
- Yamuna starts from the Yamunotri Glacier.
- Brahmaputra originates from the Angsi Glacier in Tibet.
- Indus starts from the Tibet Plateau, near Lake Mansarovar.
3. Where is the Zemu Glacier located?
(A) Himachal Pradesh
(B) Ladakh
(C) Sikkim
(D) Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: (C) Sikkim
Explanation:
- The Zemu Glacier is located in Sikkim, near Mount Kanchenjunga.
- It is the largest glacier in the Eastern Himalayas.
- The glacier is around 26 kilometers long.
- It is an important source of water for the Teesta River.
- The glacier is part of the Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve, a protected area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. Which glacier is well-known for trekking and is located in Uttarakhand?
(A) Milam Glacier
(B) Zemu Glacier
(C) Pindari Glacier
(D) Siachen Glacier
Answer: (C) Pindari Glacier
Explanation:
- Pindari Glacier is located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.
- It lies in the Bageshwar district, surrounded by the Nanda Devi mountain range.
- It is the source of the Pindar River, which later joins the Alaknanda River.
- Pindari Glacier is one of the most popular trekking spots in Uttarakhand, especially for beginners.
- The glacier lies within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
- The glacier is slowly shrinking because of climate change and rising temperatures.
5. Which of the following is the largest glacier?
(A) Kanchenjunga
(B) Rundun
(C) Gangotri
(D) Kedarnath
Answer:- (C) Gangotri
Explanation:
- The Gangotri Glacier is around 30 kilometers long and up to 4 kilometers wide.
- This glacier lies in the state of Uttarakhand, in the Garhwal Himalayas.
- The Gangotri Glacier is the main source of the River Ganga (Ganges).
- The River Ganga starts from a spot called Gomukh.
6. Chaurabari Glacier is located towards _______
(A) South of Kedarnath temple
(B) West of Kedarnath temple
(C) North of Kedarnath temple
(D) East of Kedarnath temple
Answer:- (C) North of Kedarnath temple
Explanation:
- Chaurabari Glacier is a small glacier located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand.
- It lies in the Garhwal Himalayas, close to the famous Kedarnath Temple.
- This glacier is also known as the Kedarnath Glacier, because it is just above (North of) the Kedarnath shrine.
- The glacier is around 7 kilometers long.
- Mandakini River originates from this glacier.
- The glacier became widely known after the 2013 Uttarakhand flash floods, which caused massive destruction in the Kedarnath area.
7. The rate of melting of Himalayan glaciers is__________
(A) Lowest in the world
(B) Highest in the world
(C) Same as of the glaciers of other parts of the world
(D) No information is available about the melting rate of Himalayan glaciers
Answer:- (B) Highest in the world
Explanation:
- The Himalayan glaciers are melting at the fastest rate in the world. Scientists have found that they are losing ice rapidly due to climate change, including rising temperatures and altered monsoon patterns.
- This is very serious because these glaciers supply water to major rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra. Millions of people depend on this water for drinking, farming, and electricity.
- The rapid melting is also increasing the risk of floods and landslides, especially in areas near glacial lakes.
8. Which one of the following glaciers is located in Kumaun region of Uttarakhand?
(A) Hispar
(B) Zemu
(C) Milam
(D) Rupal
Answer:- (C) Milam
Explanation:
- The Milam Glacier is one of the biggest glaciers located in the Kumaun region of Uttarakhand.
- The glacier is about 16 kilometers long.
- Goriganga River originates from this glacier. It later merges with the Kali River.
- The glacier is reached through a beautiful and adventurous trekking route starting from Munsiyari.
- The trek covers about 60 kilometers (one way) and passes through beautiful villages.
9. Which glacier is known as the source of the Yamuna River?
(A) Milam Glacier
(B) Yamunotri Glacier
(C) Gangotri Glacier
(D) Zemu Glacier
Answer: (B) Yamunotri Glacier
Explanation:
- Yamunotri Glacier is located in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarkashi district, in Uttarakhand.
- Yamunotri Glacier is the source of the Yamuna River.
- The Yamuna River is the second most sacred river in India after the Ganga.
- The Yamuna River flows from this glacier and travels across several states before merging with the Ganga at Prayagraj (Allahabad).
- Yamunotri is one of the four sacred sites in the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand (along with Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath).
10. What is the main cause of glaciers melting in recent years?
(A) Lack of snowfall
(B) Earthquakes
(C) Global warming
(D) Soil erosion
Answer: (C) Global warming
Explanation:
The main reason for glaciers melting in recent years is global warming. Due to increased pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from cars, factories, and burning fossil fuels, the Earth’s average temperature is rising. This rise in temperature causes the ice in glaciers to melt faster than usual.