UPSC Prelims 2006·GS1·geography·indian geography

Which of the following substances are found in the beach sands of many parts of Kerala? 1. Ilmenite 2. Zircon 3. Silimanite 4. Tungsten Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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  1. A1, 2, 3 and 4
  2. B1, 2 and 3Correct
  3. C3 and 4 only
  4. D1 and 2 only

Explanation

The correct option is B because the heavy mineral sands found along the Kerala coast, particularly in the Chavara belt, are rich in Ilmenite, Zircon, and Sillimanite. These minerals, along with Monazite and Rutile, are part of the placer deposits formed by the weathering of rocks in the Western Ghats. Tungsten, however, is not found in beach sands; it is typically extracted from ores like wolframite and scheelite found in vein deposits or igneous rocks, primarily in states like Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. Therefore, only 1, 2, and 3 are correct.
geography: Which of the following substances are found in the beach sands of many parts of Kerala? 1. Ilmenite 2. Zircon 3. Siliman

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