Geography

Q.15. ‘Minerals in India are unevenly distributed’. Explain.

Ans.

i). Minerals in Deccan: The peninsular rocks contain most of the reserves of coal, metallic minerals, mica and many other non-metallic minerals.
ii). Minerals in western and eastern region of India: Sedimentary rocks of the western and eastern parts of India, i.e., Gujarat and Assam have most of the petroleum deposits.
iv). Minerals in Rajasthan: Rajasthan with the rock systems of the peninsula has reserves of many non-ferrous minerals. v). Minerals in north India: The vast alluvial plains of North India are almost devoid of economic minerals. These variations exist largely because of the differences in the geological structure, processes and time involved in the formation of minerals.

Q.16.Explain the classification of minerals.

Ans.

i). Metallic minerals: We get metals from these minerals. Ores of iron, copper, gold, silver, lead, aluminum, tin etc are important examples of metallic minerals. Metallic minerals can further be divided into ferrous and non-ferrous.
ii). Ferrous minerals: The minerals which contain iron ore are known as ferrous minerals. Iron ore, manganese, nickel, cobalt, etc are some of the important ferrous minerals.
iii). Non-ferrous minerals: Minerals containing metals other than iron ore are known as non-ferrous minerals. Gold, silver, platinum, etc are called non-ferrous minerals.
iv). Precious minerals: The minerals which have very high economic value are known as precious minerals for example gold, silver, platinum etc.
v). Non-metallic minerals: These are minerals which do not contain metals. Coal, petroleum, mica, manganese etc are some important non-metallic minerals. There is deficiency of copper, lead, zinc and gold.
vi). Energy minerals: The minerals which provide energy or power are known as energy minerals. Coal, petroleum and natural gas are the most important energy minerals.

Q.17.Why is there a need to conserve minerals?

Ans.
The total volume of workable minerals deposits in an insignificant fraction, i.e., one percent of the earth’s crust.We are rapidly consuming minerals resources that required concentrated. The geological processes of mineral formation are so slow that the rates of replenishment are infinitely small in comparison to the present rates of consumption. Mineral resources are, therefore, finite and non-renewable.Rich minerals deposits are our country’s extremely valuable but short lived possessions. Continued extraction of ores leas to increasing costs as minerals extraction comes from greater depths along with the decrease in quality.

Q.18.Suggest some measures to conserve the minerals.

Ans.

i). The minerals should be used in a planned way so that these can be used in a judicious way.
ii). Wastage of minerals should be minimized.
iii). Modern technology should be used for the exploitation of minerals.
iv). Export of minerals should be minimized.
v). We should think about the use of substitutes in order to save minerals.
vi) .We should encourage recycling of metals.

Q.19.Compare the Gondwana coal fields with the Teritary coal fields.

Ans.Gondwana coal fields

i). These mines are the main producers of coal in India.
ii). These are more than 200 million years old.
iii). These produce good quality of coal.
iv). Gondwana coal occurs in Damodar valley, the Godavari, Mahanadi, Son and the Wardha valley.

Teritary Coal fields

i). These are the minor producers of coal in India.
ii). These are only 55 million years old.
iii). These produce a poor quality of coal.
iv). Teritary coal occurs in the north eastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.