UPSC Prelims 2001 Q93: Geography – Physical Geography & Geomorphology
Volcanic eruptions do not occur in the
- (a) Baltic Sea
- (b) Black Sea
- (c) Caribbean Sea
- (d) Caspian Sea
Answer: (a) Baltic Sea
Explanation
Sea where volcanic eruptions do not occur
| Sea | Volcanic activity |
|---|---|
| Baltic Sea | None — lies on the old, stable Baltic Shield of northern Europe |
| Caribbean Sea | Active volcanoes of the Lesser Antilles arc (e.g. Montserrat, Mount Pelee) |
| Black Sea | Mud volcanoes on the seafloor |
| Caspian Sea | Mud volcanoes, notably near Azerbaijan |
The Baltic Sea lies on a very old, stable part of the European plate, so there are no volcanic eruptions there. The Caribbean has an active island-arc, and the Black and Caspian Seas have mud volcanoes.
Answer: (a) Baltic Sea.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The Baltic Sea lies on a stable shield with no volcanoes.
- (b) Incorrect. The Black Sea has mud volcanoes.
- (c) Incorrect. The Caribbean has active volcanoes in the Lesser Antilles.
- (d) Incorrect. The Caspian region has many mud volcanoes.
Key point
The Lesser Antilles volcanic arc forms where the Atlantic plate sinks under the Caribbean plate.
Remember
No volcanoes in the Baltic Sea.
Common mistakes
- Thinking the Caspian is quiet because it is inland.
- Not knowing about mud volcanoes in the Black and Caspian Seas.
- Forgetting the Caribbean island arc.
Exam tip
Stable shields (Baltic, Canadian, Indian peninsula) do not have volcanoes.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — Fundamentals of Physical Geography, chapter 'Distribution of Oceans and Continents'
- Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program — volcanoes of the West Indies