Prepare for the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) Class 6 GK Section with this detailed guide on natural calamities including floods, earthquakes, landslides, hurricanes, and tsunamis. Get important question-answer sets, causes, effects, and safety measures. Enhance your AISSEE exam preparation with expert study material and coaching.

GK Natural Calamities (Flood and Earthquake) – AISSEE Class 6 GK Section

Natural calamities are sudden and devastating events caused by natural forces that lead to loss of life, destruction of property, and severe environmental damage. Two of the most common natural calamities are floods and earthquakes. Below are detailed explanations and important question-answer sets to help students prepare for the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) Class 6 GK Section.

Floods

Floods occur when an area is submerged under excessive water due to heavy rainfall, river overflow, or natural disasters like cyclones and tsunamis. They can cause significant damage to life and property and disrupt daily activities.

Q1: What is a flood?

A: A flood is an overflow of water onto normally dry land. It can be caused by excessive rainfall, river overflow, or dam failure.

Q2: What are the main causes of floods?

A: The main causes of floods include:

• Heavy Rainfall – Excessive rain leads to water accumulation and overflowing rivers.
• Melting of Glaciers – Sudden melting can cause rivers to overflow.
• Storm Surges & Tsunamis – Large waves from the sea can flood coastal areas.
• Dam Failures – Broken or overflowing dams release large amounts of water.
• Deforestation – Less tree cover means reduced water absorption, leading to floods.
• Poor Drainage Systems – Urban areas with inadequate drainage systems experience waterlogging and flooding.

Q3: What are the effects of floods?

A: The effects of floods include:

• Loss of human and animal life
• Damage to houses, bridges, and roads
• Spread of waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery
• Displacement of people from their homes
• Disruption of electricity and communication networks

Q4: How can we prevent floods?

A: Some flood prevention measures include:

• Building Dams & Embankments – Helps control river overflow.
• Improving Drainage Systems – Proper drainage reduces urban flooding.
• Afforestation (Planting Trees) – Trees absorb excess water and prevent soil erosion.
• Early Warning Systems – Timely alerts help people evacuate safely.
• Proper Urban Planning – Avoiding construction in flood-prone areas reduces risk.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are sudden movements of the Earth’s surface caused by the shifting of tectonic plates beneath the crust. They can lead to widespread destruction and loss of life.

Q5: What is an earthquake?

A: An earthquake is the sudden shaking of the Earth’s surface caused by movements in the Earth’s crust due to tectonic activity.

Q6: What causes earthquakes?

A: Earthquakes are mainly caused by:

• Tectonic Plate Movements – When plates collide, move apart, or slide past each other.
• Volcanic Eruptions – Magma movement can trigger earthquakes.
• Underground Explosions – Human activities like mining and nuclear tests can cause earthquakes.
• Fault Lines – Energy release along fault lines leads to seismic activity.

Q7: What are the effects of earthquakes?

A: The effects of earthquakes include:

• Destruction of Buildings & Infrastructure – Houses, roads, and bridges collapse.
• Tsunamis & Landslides – Earthquakes under the ocean can trigger massive waves.
• Loss of Life & Injuries – Many people get trapped under debris.
• Disruption of Communication & Transport – Broken roads and power failures occur.

Q8: What are Focus and Epicenter in an earthquake?

A:

• Focus (Hypocenter): The point inside the Earth where an earthquake originates.
• Epicenter: The point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus. It is the location where the earthquake’s effects are usually strongest.

Q9: What is the Richter Scale?

A: The Richter Scale is used to measure the magnitude (strength) of an earthquake. It is a logarithmic scale where each whole number increase represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude.

Q10: How can we stay safe during an earthquake?

A: Safety measures during an earthquake include:

• Drop, Cover, and Hold – Take shelter under a sturdy table.
• Stay Away from Windows & Heavy Objects – Glass and falling objects can be dangerous.
• Move to Open Spaces – Avoid staying inside weak buildings.
• Turn Off Gas & Electrical Appliances – Prevents fire hazards.
• Follow Disaster Preparedness Plans – Be aware of safe exit routes.

More Questions on Natural Calamities

Q11: What is a tsunami?

A: A tsunami is a series of large ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides.

Q12: How can tsunamis be detected?

A: Tsunamis can be detected using:

• Seismic sensors to detect underwater earthquakes.
• Tide gauges to measure sea-level changes.
• Buoy systems to monitor ocean waves.
• Early warning systems to alert coastal populations.

Q13: What is a cyclone?

A: A cyclone is a large air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure, causing heavy rain and strong winds.

Q14: How do cyclones form?

A: Cyclones form over warm ocean waters when:

• Warm air rises and creates low pressure.
• Surrounding air rushes in, causing rotation.
• The system gains strength and forms a storm.

Q15: What are landslides and their causes?

A: A landslide is the movement of rock, soil, and debris down a slope due to gravity. Causes include:

• Heavy rainfall
• Earthquakes
• Deforestation
• Mining activities

Do You Know?

• The 2010 Haiti Earthquake was one of the deadliest earthquakes, causing over 200,000 deaths.
• The 2013 Uttarakhand floods were caused by heavy rainfall and glacier melting, leading to massive destruction.
• The Richter Scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake.
• Floods can sometimes be beneficial as they deposit fertile soil on land, helping in agriculture.
• The Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean is the most earthquake-prone region in the world.

Q16: What is an avalanche?

A: An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a mountainside due to gravity, often triggered by earthquakes, heavy snowfall, or human activities.

Q17: What are the major effects of tsunamis?

A: The effects of tsunamis include:

• Massive flooding in coastal areas
• Destruction of homes, bridges, and roads
• Loss of human and marine life
• Contamination of freshwater sources
• Economic loss due to damaged infrastructure

Q18: How do volcanoes contribute to natural disasters?

A: Volcanic eruptions can cause:

• Earthquakes due to magma movement
• Ash clouds that disrupt air travel and agriculture
• Lava flows that destroy settlements
• Formation of tsunamis if eruptions occur under the sea

Q19: What is a drought and its impact?

A: A drought is a prolonged period of insufficient rainfall, leading to water scarcity. Its impacts include:

• Reduced agricultural productivity
• Famine and food shortages
• Drying of rivers and reservoirs
• Desertification

Q20: What are early warning systems for disasters?

A: Early warning systems include:

• Seismographs to detect earthquakes
• Satellite monitoring for hurricanes and cyclones
• Tsunami buoys to track ocean waves
• Drought monitoring tools like soil moisture sensors

Q21: What is a landslide?

A: A landslide is the downward movement of rock, soil, and debris on a slope due to gravity. It can be triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human activities like mining and deforestation.

Q22: How can we prevent landslides?

A: Landslides can be prevented by:

• Planting more trees to hold the soil.
• Constructing retaining walls in hilly areas.
• Avoiding construction in landslide-prone areas.
• Implementing proper drainage systems to prevent waterlogging.

Q23: What is a hurricane?

A: A hurricane is a large rotating storm system with strong winds and heavy rain, formed over warm ocean waters.

Q24: What is the difference between a hurricane, cyclone, and typhoon?

A: They are the same type of storm but are named differently based on location:

• Hurricane: In the Atlantic Ocean and the Northeast Pacific Ocean.
• Cyclone: In the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.
• Typhoon: In the Northwest Pacific Ocean.

Q25: What is El Niño and how does it affect the climate?

A: El Niño is a climate pattern that causes warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, leading to changes in weather patterns such as increased rainfall in some areas and droughts in others.

Do You Know?

• The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami was caused by a 9.1-magnitude earthquake, leading to over 230,000 deaths.
• The 2015 Nepal Earthquake measured 7.8 on the Richter scale and caused widespread devastation.
• The Deadliest Cyclone on record was the 1970 Bhola Cyclone in Bangladesh, killing over 300,000 people.
• Droughts can last for years and lead to desert formation.

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