Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

General Test

Chapter

General Knowledge

Question:

The forces which act in the interior of the earth are called as ________.

Options:

gravitational forces

frictional forces

endogenic forces

exogenic forces 

Correct Answer:

endogenic forces

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 3. endogenic forces.

Endogenic forces refer to the internal forces acting within the Earth's crust and mantle. These forces play a crucial role in shaping the Earth's surface and are responsible for various geological phenomena. Here's an explanation of endogenic forces:

1. Tectonic Plate Movements: One of the most significant manifestations of endogenic forces is the movement of tectonic plates. The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large and small tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. The movement of these plates is driven by convection currents in the mantle, which exert forces on the plates, causing them to collide, separate, or slide past each other. This movement results in phenomena such as earthquakes, mountain building, and the formation of oceanic trenches and mid-ocean ridges.

2. Volcanic Activity: Endogenic forces also lead to volcanic activity, where molten rock, gases, and ash are expelled from the Earth's interior onto its surface. Volcanoes form at points where magma from the mantle reaches the Earth's surface through vents or fissures. Volcanic eruptions can range from gentle lava flows to explosive events, and they contribute to the formation of new landforms and the recycling of minerals and gases within the Earth's crust.

3. Mountain Building: Endogenic forces play a significant role in the formation of mountain ranges through processes known as orogeny. Orogeny occurs when tectonic plates collide, leading to the uplift and deformation of the Earth's crust. This results in the formation of folded mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas, where crustal rocks are compressed, folded, and uplifted due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.

4. Faulting and Earthquakes: Endogenic forces can also cause faulting and earthquakes along the boundaries of tectonic plates or within the crust itself. Faults are fractures in the Earth's crust along which movement has occurred, leading to the release of accumulated stress and energy in the form of seismic waves during earthquakes.

In summary, endogenic forces are internal forces within the Earth that drive processes such as tectonic plate movements, volcanic activity, mountain building, and faulting. These forces are responsible for shaping the Earth's surface and have significant implications for geological processes, natural hazards, and the distribution of resources on Earth.