RBSE VU Geography flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Mohorovičić discontinuity

Boundary between Earth's crust and mantle where seismic wave velocities increase abruptly; marks the base of the crust at roughly 5–70 km depth.

Isostasy

Gravitational equilibrium where lighter crustal blocks float on denser mantle; explains why continental crust stands higher than oceanic crust.

Plate tectonics

Theory that Earth's lithosphere is divided into rigid plates that move over the asthenosphere, causing earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building at boundaries.

Exfoliation

Physical weathering process where outer rock layers peel off due to pressure release or thermal expansion, common in granite and arid regions.

Oxbow lake

Crescent-shaped water body formed when a river meander is cut off from the main channel by deposition of sediment across its neck.

Barchan dune

Crescent-shaped sand dune with horns pointing downwind, formed in arid regions where sand supply is limited and wind direction is constant.

Karst topography

Landscape formed by chemical solution of limestone, featuring sinkholes, caves, stalactites, and disappearing streams.

Coriolis effect

Deflection of moving air and water due to Earth's rotation; to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern.

Intertropical Convergence Zone

Low-pressure belt near the equator where trade winds from both hemispheres converge, causing heavy rainfall and rising warm air.

Monsoon

Seasonal reversal of wind direction caused by differential heating of land and sea; brings heavy summer rain to India and dry winter conditions.

Lapse rate

Rate at which temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere, averaging about 6.5 °C per kilometer.

Thermocline

Layer in the ocean where temperature decreases rapidly with depth, separating warm surface water from cold deep water.

Spring tide

Tide of maximum range occurring at new and full moon when the sun and moon align and their gravitational forces combine.

Water table

Upper surface of the saturated zone in an aquifer below which all pores and fractures are filled with groundwater.

Watershed

Area of land draining all precipitation into a common river or lake, bounded by ridges; used as a unit for water resource management.

Soil profile

Vertical section of soil showing horizons O, A, B, C, and R, each differing in organic content, color, and mineral composition.

Laterite soil

Leached, iron-rich soil formed in high-rainfall tropical areas; poor in nitrogen and humus but useful for tea, coffee, and cashew.

Ecological pyramid

Diagram showing numbers, biomass, or energy at each trophic level; the energy pyramid is always upright due to the 10% law.

Biodiversity hotspot

Region with high species richness and endemism that has lost a significant portion of its original habitat; India has four such regions.

Demographic transition

Model describing population change from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a country develops economically.

Dependency ratio

Ratio of the dependent population (under 15 and over 64) to the working-age population (15–64), indicating economic burden.

Push and pull factors

Reasons for migration: push factors drive people away (poverty, disaster); pull factors attract them (jobs, education, services).

Green Revolution

Agricultural modernization using high-yielding varieties, fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation that greatly increased food grain output in India from the 1960s.

Least-cost theory

Alfred Weber's model stating industries locate where total costs of raw material, labor, and transport are minimized.

Balance of trade

Difference between a country's exports and imports of goods; surplus when exports exceed imports, deficit when imports exceed exports.

Special Economic Zone

Designated area with special economic regulations, tax incentives, and infrastructure to promote exports and foreign investment.

Aravalli Range

Ancient fold mountain range in western India running southwest to northeast through Rajasthan; acts as a barrier to desert expansion.

Luni River

River of Rajasthan flowing into the Rann of Kutch; its lower course becomes saline due to high evaporation in the arid region.

Indira Gandhi Canal

Canal bringing water from the Sutlej-Beas system to the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, enabling irrigation and reducing desertification.

Contour line

Line on a map connecting points of equal elevation; spacing indicates slope steepness and V-shapes point upstream along valleys.

Remote sensing

Acquisition of information about Earth's surface from satellites or aircraft using sensors that detect reflected or emitted electromagnetic radiation.

Sustainable development

Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, balancing economic, social, and environmental goals.