Category 5 · Geography

Rocks, Erosion and Landforms

9 micro topics in Geography for UPSC Prelims, in book order: Igneous Rocks; Sedimentary Rocks; and 7 more.

1. 5.1

   Igneous Rocks

   Igneous rocks are primary rocks formed by the cooling and solidification of molten magma or lava. Intrusive or plutonic igneous rocks, such as granite and gabbro, cool slowly underground and have large crystals, while extrusive or…

2. 5.2

   Sedimentary Rocks

   Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation, compaction and cementation of sediments, the fragments of older rocks and the remains of plants and animals, laid down in layers by water, wind or ice, in a process…

3. 5.3

   Metamorphic Rocks and the Rock Cycle

   Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks are changed in the solid state by heat, pressure or chemically active fluids without melting, as granite becomes gneiss, limestone becomes marble and sandstone becomes quartzite. They may be…

4. 5.4

   Soil Erosion – Water and Wind Erosion

   Soil erosion is the removal of the topsoil by water, wind, ice or human activity faster than it forms. Water erosion proceeds from splash, sheet and rill erosion to gullies and ravines, and wind erosion occurs…

5. 5.5

   Fluvial Landforms and Drainage Patterns

   Fluvial landforms are shaped by running water. In its upper course a river cuts V-shaped valleys, gorges and waterfalls, in its middle course it forms meanders and floodplains, and in its lower course it builds levees,…

6. 5.6

   Karst Landforms and the Cycle of Erosion

   Karst topography is the landscape of limestone and other soluble rocks shaped by the solution of rock by slightly acidic water, producing sinkholes, caves, stalactites and stalagmites and underground drainage. The cycle of erosion, proposed by…

7. 5.7

   Marine Landforms and Coastlines

   Marine landforms are shaped by the erosion and deposition of waves, currents and tides along coasts. Erosional forms include sea cliffs, wave-cut platforms, caves, arches and stacks, and depositional forms include beaches, spits, bars, tombolos and…

8. 5.8

   Glacial Landforms

   Glaciers are large masses of ice that move slowly under their own weight, and they shape the land by erosion and deposition. Erosional landforms include cirques, arêtes, horns, U-shaped valleys, hanging valleys and fjords, and depositional…

9. 5.9

   Aeolian Landforms of Deserts

   Aeolian landforms are shaped by wind, especially in deserts, where there is little vegetation. Wind erodes by deflation and abrasion, creating deflation hollows, desert pavements, mushroom rocks and yardangs, and deposits sand as dunes such as…

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Frequently asked questions

Which topics are in Rocks, Erosion and Landforms?

Rocks, Erosion and Landforms has 9 micro topics in Geography: Igneous Rocks; Sedimentary Rocks; Metamorphic Rocks and the Rock Cycle; Soil Erosion – Water and Wind Erosion; Fluvial Landforms and Drainage Patterns; Karst Landforms and the Cycle of Erosion; Marine Landforms and Coastlines; Glacial Landforms; Aeolian Landforms of Deserts.

Is Rocks, Erosion and Landforms important for UPSC Prelims?

Rocks, Erosion and Landforms is a part of the UPSC Prelims Geography syllabus map on MaargX UPSC. Each of its 9 published topics has key terms, a Mains angle and practice questions.