Kakhovka Dam |
Why in News: A massive Soviet-era Kakhovka dam, acting as a barrier between Russian and Ukrainian forces, was recently breached, resulting in floodwaters spreading across the conflict zone.
About Kakhovka Dam
- Location:Situated on the Dnieper (Dnipro) River in southern Ukraine, the Kakhovka Dam forms part of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant.
- Reservoir Function:The reservoir serves multiple purposes, including supplying water to the Crimean peninsula and providing cooling water to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
- Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant:Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, the Zaporizhzhia facility relies on the reservoir for its cooling water, particularly from the southern side, which is currently under Russian control.
- Reservoir Size:The reservoir has a vast capacity, holding a volume of water roughly equivalent to that of the Great Salt Lake in the United States.
Batagaika Crater |
Why in News: Recently, remarkable drone footage has unveiled insights into the Batagaika crater, showcasing its vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.
About Batagaika Crater
- Location:Situated in Russia’s Far East, it stands as the world’s largest permafrost crater.
- Formation:Scientists attribute the crater’s origin to the thawing of permafrost, which was frozen during the Quaternary Ice Age approximately 2.58 million years ago.
- Creation Process:Its formation initiated after deforestation in the 1960s exposed the permafrost underground, leading to its thawing and subsequent land subsidence.
- Local Name:Referred to as the “gateway to the underworld” by some residents of Russia’s Sakha Republic, it is scientifically classified as a mega-slump.
- Factors Contributing to Formation: The crater’s development is linked to rising air temperatures, climate warming, and human-induced activities.
- Significance:It offers valuable insights into Earth’s prehistoric past, with researchers estimating that the exposed ice and soil along its edges hold geological and biological records dating back up to 200,000 years.
Cam Ranh Bay |
Why in News: The Indian Naval Ship Kirpan is set to be transferred to the Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) at the strategic military port of Cam Ranh Bay in the near future.
About Cam Ranh Bay
- Location:Cam Ranh Bay is situated in Khánh Hòa Province, Vietnam, on the South China Sea.
- Facilities:The bay features two primary piers catering to general cargo and oil tankers respectively. Additionally, it offers a repair yard, a fuel depot, and a container terminal.
- Strategic Importance: Cam Ranh Bay serves as a significant refuelling and repair station for ships navigating the South China Sea.
- Historical Significance:
- Originally controlled by the Champa Kingdom, it later became part of Vietnamese territory. During the colonial period, the French established a significant military presence there.
- Throughout the Vietnam War, Cam Ranh Bay emerged as a vital military base for the United States and South Vietnam.
- Post-war, it fell under the control of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Subsequently, the Soviet Union leased former American facilities, establishing a major naval base that remained operational until the early 2000s.
Strait of Hormuz |
Why in News: Iran recently attempted to capture two oil tankers in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
About Strait of Hormuz
- Location:The Strait of Hormuz, also known as the Strait of Ormuz, is a narrow channel connecting the Persian Gulf in the west with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
- Geographical Features:It ranges from 35 to 60 miles (55 to 95 km) in width, acting as a natural boundary between Iran to the north and the Arabian Peninsula to the south.
- Islands:Within the strait are the islands of Qeshm (Qishm), Hormuz, and Hengām (Henjām).
- Significance:The strait is globally significant as the most crucial oil chokepoint due to the immense volumes of oil transported through it.
Democratic Republic of Congo |
Why in News: The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is experiencing intensified conflict, further worsening the already severe humanitarian situation in the area.
About Democratic Republic of Congo
- Location:Situated in central sub-Saharan Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) lies within the Congo Basin.
- Area:It holds the distinction of being the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Borders:The DRC shares borders with several countries, including the Republic of Congo to the northwest, Central African Republic to the north, and Angola to the west, among others.
Congo River: The country boasts the Congo River, Africa’s second-longest river, and is home to the Congo Basin, one of the planet’s largest tropical rainforest regions.
