General Studies – 1

Topic : Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

1. Differentiate between tropical and extra-tropical cyclones. (250 words)

   Reference: World physical geography by Savindra Singh/ G C Leong ,The Hindu Business Line

   Why the question:
   From Sri Lanka, cyclone ‘Burevi’ to head for South TN coast, thus the context of the question.

   Key Demand of the question:
   The question is straightforward and one must differentiate between tropical and extra-tropical cyclones.

   Directive:
   Differentiate – provide for a detailed comparison of the two types, their features that are similar as well as different. One must provide for detailed assessment of the two.

   Structure of the answer:
   Introduction:
   Start with basic definition of cyclones introducing the two cyclones.

   Body:
   The atmospheric disturbances which involve a closed circulation about a low pressure centre, anticlockwise in the northern atmosphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere, are called cyclones.
   They fall into the following two broad categories: (a) Extra-tropical and (b) tropical cyclones.
   Differentiate between the two on the basis of various parameters like origin, size etc.

   Conclusion:
   Conclude with recent examples.