Home » Uncategorized » [Newsbits] 14.11.2023 – Cloud Seeding, EX-BONGOSAGAR & more

[Newsbits] 14.11.2023 – Cloud Seeding, EX-BONGOSAGAR & more

Santhosh Kumar 14/11/2023

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newsbits mindmap notes

Seismic Activity in Iceland

Seismic Activity in Iceland mind map
Context
Iceland experiencing significant increase in seismic activity
measurements
1,400 earthquakes in 24 hours
over 24,000 in Reykjanes Peninsula since late October
Source
The Indian Express (IE)
Reasons for seismic activity
Location on Mid-Atlantic Ridge
where Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet
frequent earthquakes due to geological setting
Recent earthquake swarm
due to movement, pressure changes
associated with magma activity beneath Earth's surface
potential precursor to volcanic eruption
Fagradalsfjall
40 km southwest of Reykjavík
"world's newest baby volcano"
dormant for eight centuries
erupted in
2021
2022
2023
Mid-Atlantic Ridge
mid-ocean ridge
divergent or constructive plate boundary
located along floor of Atlantic Ocean
part of longest mountain range in world
Separates tectonic plates
North American from Eurasian Plate
African Plate
north and south of Azores Triple Junction

EX-BONGOSAGAR

EX-BONGOSAGAR mind map
Context
4th edition of Bilateral Exercise BONGOSAGAR-23
5th edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT)
between Indian Navy and Bangladesh Navy
in Northern Bay of Bengal
Source
Press Information Bureau (PIB)
Participants
Indian Navy
Ships
Kuthar
Kiltan
Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Dornier
Bangladesh Navy
Ships
Abu Bakr
Abu Ubaidah
Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA)
Activities
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) drills
focused on Search and Rescue at sea

GPS anklets

GPS anklets mind map
Context
First instance in India
Ghulam Mohammad Bhat
accused under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
released on bail with a condition
to wear a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking device
Source
The Indian Express (IE)
Key points
GPS tracker
small wearable device
affixed around the ankle
provides real-time location information
Tamper-proof
sets off alarm if tampered
cannot be removed without damage
Usage
can be worn on ankle or arm
GPS anklets
GPS bracelets
Precedents
common precondition for bail in various countries
United States
United Kingdom
Malaysia
About GPS
Satellite-based navigation system
Uses
satellites
receivers
algorithms
Capabilities
synchronizes location, velocity, time data
works in all weather conditions
operational globally, 24/7
no subscription fees
setup charge-free
Accuracy
some receivers within 1 centimetre
Designed by
U.S. military

Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023

Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023 mind map
Context
Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India
proposed Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023
to replace Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995
due to significant technological changes
rise of digital platforms
Direct to Home (DTH)
Internet Protocol television (IPTV)
Over-the-top (OTT) media services
integrated models
Source
Press Information Bureau (PIB)
Key highlights
Introduction of Content Evaluation Committees
Broadcast Advisory Council
for self-regulation
Differentiated program and advertisement codes
Accessibility measures
for persons with disabilities
Statutory penalties
linked to financial capacity of entities

Cloud seeding

Cloud seeding mind map
Context
Delhi is considering cloud seeding
as a potential solution to tackle its persistent air pollution crisis
What is cloud seeding
artificially generating rain
by introducing substances like silver iodide, Dry Ice
into clouds
How it works
employs planes or ground-based generators to spray clouds with chemicals
promoting the condensation of smaller particles into larger rain droplets
Methods
Static cloud seeding
introduces ice nuclei
like silver iodide or dry ice
into cold clouds with supercooled liquid water droplets
triggering the formation of ice crystals or snowflakes that fall as precipitation
Dynamic cloud seeding
induces rain by boosting vertical air currents
a more complex process dependent on a sequence of events
Hygroscopic cloud seeding
sprays fine particles of hygroscopic materials
like salts
into warm clouds to act as cloud condensation nuclei
enhancing cloud reflectivity and stability
Applications
enhances winter snowfall and mountain snowpack
supplements the natural water supply for surrounding communities
prevents hailstorms
displaces fog
induces rainfall in drought-prone regions
reduces air pollution
controls forest fires
Examples of its use
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
has been using cloud seeding to increase rainfall in its arid region
China
has been using measures like those during the Beijing Olympics in 2008
India
cloud seeding was used in Solapur in Maharashtra
Project Varshadhari in Karnataka in 2017
to mitigate drought about 18% of rainfall
Challenges
requires moisture-filled clouds
which may not always be available or predictable
potential negative environmental and health effects
such as altering the water cycle
soil and water contamination
silver iodide or potassium iodide carry the risk of bioaccumulation and potential toxicity
Way forward
to promote cloud seeding
achieve scientific consensus
establish robust regulatory measures for accountability
address concerns proactively

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