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At one of the places in India, if you stand on the seashore and watch the sea, you will find that the sea water recedes from the shore line a few kilometres and comes back to the shore, twice a day, and you can actually walk on the sea floor when the water recedes. This unique phenomenon is seen at
Explanation
The correct answer is Chandipur Beach in Odisha, which exhibits the unique phenomenon where the sea disappears and reappears, revealing a [1]mysterious coastal wonder. This mysterious phenomenon occurs almost twice a day, making Chandipur one of the most fascinating tidal beaches in the world, where the waters recede during low tide and return during high tide.[2] During low tide, the sea seemingly disappears for up to 5 km, revealing a vast expanse of sand[3] that allows people to walk on the exposed sea floor. This phenomenon is caused by extreme tidal variations, where the gentle slope of the seabed allows the water to recede over a long distance. The other optionsâBhavnagar, Bheemunipatnam, and Nagapattinamâdo not exhibit this distinctive characteristic of such dramatic tidal recession that exposes several kilometers of sea floor for walking.
Sources- [1] https://odishatourism.gov.in/content/tourism/en/blog-details/the-tale-of-chandipur-beach-beyond-the-vanishing-sea.html
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'General Awareness' question that defies standard textbooks like NCERT or GC Leong. It rewards curiosity about India's unique geographical features ('Incredible India' trivia) rather than rote physical geography. If you rely solely on static books, this is a skip; if you follow travel/culture features in newspapers, it's a sitter.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Names Chandipur Beach and describes the sea 'disappearing and reappearing', matching the described tidal phenomenon.
- From an official/authoritative tourism source for Odisha, directly ties the location to the phenomenon in the statement.
- Explicitly states the phenomenon occurs 'almost twice a day', matching the 'twice a day' frequency in the statement.
- States 'The waters in the sea recede during the time of low tide and return back during the time of high tide', matching the receding/exposing behavior.
- Specifically notes that at Chandipur the sea can 'seemingly disappear for up to 5 km during low tide', matching 'several kilometres'.
- Mentions this reveals a 'vast expanse of sand', which supports the claim that the sea floor is exposed for walking.
Gives the basic definition and pattern of tides â periodic rise and fall of sea level once or twice a day â which is the fundamental mechanism behind any large sea recession at low tide.
A student can combine this with local coastal topography (wide, shallow bays/estuaries) to see where twice-daily low tides could expose large areas.
Lists specific Indian locations (Gulf of Khambat, Gulf of Kutch, estuary of Hugli) identified as suitable for tidal/sea-wave phenomena and energy exploitation, implying large tidal ranges there.
Using a map to locate these gulfs/estuaries and noting their wide, shallow configuration would support suspecting large horizontal tidal recession there.
Names major 'tidal ports' including Kandla (Gulf of Kutch) and Diamond Harbour (Hugli estuary), implying strong tidal influence at these locations.
A student could check these ports' locations on a map and infer that strong tidal action in such estuaries/gulfs can expose seabed at low tide.
States that large tidal waves are known to occur along the west coast of India, indicating the west coast (including Gujarat gulfs) has pronounced tidal behaviour.
Combine this with the geographical fact that the Gulf of Khambat and Gulf of Kutch lie on the west coast to focus attention there for large tidal recession.
Describes wavecut platforms whose upper part is exposed at low tide, providing an example of coastal areas where the seabed becomes exposed during low tide.
A student can infer that where broad, gently sloping platforms or mudflats exist (e.g., in wide estuaries/gulfs), low tide can expose extensive seabed accessible on foot.
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