UPSC Mains 2023 GS1 Q6 — Physical Geography
How are the fjords formed? Why do they constitute some of the most picturesque areas of the world? (Answer in 150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- HowWhy
- Scope keywords
- fjords formedmost picturesque areasof the world
- Implicit sub-parts
- Geomorphological process: The sequence from glacial carving below sea level to post-glacial submergence.
- Specific structural characteristics: U-shaped valleys, hanging valleys, and deep-water inlets with shallow sills.
- Aesthetic components: The combination of vertical relief, crystal clear water, and unique ecological contrasts.
- Common pitfalls
- Describing general glacial landforms like Moraines or Eskers that are not specific to fjords.
- Failing to mention that the valley floor was eroded below current sea level before submergence.
- Ignoring the 'shallow sill' at the mouth which is a defining technical feature of a fjord.
- Providing a generic travelogue description of beauty without linking it to the specific physical geography.
- Confusing fjords with Rias (drowned river valleys) which are formed by fluvial, not glacial, action.
- Dimensions required
- GeomorphologyClimatology (Glacial/Interglacial cycles)Environmental AestheticsHydrology
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 50-60 words to the technical process of formation including glacial scouring and sea-level rise. Use the remaining 70-80 words to explain the picturesque nature by focusing on the 'sublime' scale of vertical cliffs, the deep-blue still waters due to the sill, and the contrast between snow and sea. Reserve 10-15 words for a brief concluding example like Sognefjord.
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