11 March 2025; Daily Current Affairs Updates

Oldest Meteorite Impact Crater ; GS-1 (Geography) ▪️Why in the News:

In Western Australia, researchers have found the oldest meteorite impact crater in the world.

> World's Oldest Impact Crater:

• Discovery: Scientists in Australia have identified what they believe to be the oldest known meteorite impact crater on Earth. This finding has the potential to reshape current understanding of Earth's history and the possible role of such impacts in the origins of life.

• Location and Age: The crater was found in the remote North Pole dome region in northwestern Australia. It is estimated to be 3.47 billion years old, making it more than a billion years older than any previously recorded impact site.

• Formation: Named the North Pole Crater, it is believed to have formed when a meteorite traveling at over 36,000 kilometers per hour struck the Earth's surface. The impact created a massive crater spanning more than 100 kilometers in width.

> What Is an Impact Crater?

• Definition: An impact crater forms when a high-speed asteroid or meteorite collides with a planet or moon.

• Formation Process: The impact generates immense energy, vaporizing the object and creating powerful shockwaves. These shockwaves melt and reshape the ground, leaving behind a large circular depression surrounded by scattered rocks.

• Examples: Well-known impact craters include the Barringer Crater in the United States and the Tycho Crater on the Moon.

Madhav National Park; GS-3 (Environment) ▪️Why in the news:

Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh has officially been designated as India's 58th tiger reserve.

> Location and Geography:

• Madhav National Park is situated in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, in the northern part of the state

• It lies on the northern edge of the Central Highlands and forms part of the Upper Vindhyan Hills.

The terrain is characterized by plateaus, valleys, and gentle slopes.

> Protected Status:

The park was officially declared a national park in 1958

> Historical Significance:

• Madhav National Park was historically used as a hunting reserve by the Scindia rulers of Gwalior.

• It is named after Madho Rao Scindia, a distinguished member of the royal family.

• One of the significant historical structures in the park is George Castle, which was built by the Scindias for King George V.

• The Madhav Vilas Palace, known for its grand architecture, further enhances the historical charm of the park

Brahmastra; GS-3 (Sciene and Tech) ▪️Why in the news:

Indian scientists have developed a modern-day 'Brahmastra' with an astonishing speed of 12,144 km per hour.

> Overview: The Brahmastra missile, officially known as the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM), is a cutting-edge hypersonic glide missile. A hypersonic missile is a weapon that can travel at speeds of more than five times the speed of sound. They are highly maneuverable and can cover long distances in minutes.

> Development: It has been designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

> Technological Superiority: The missile surpasses similar weapon systems, including China's DF-17, in terms of both range and technological advancements.

> Features of the Brahmastra Missile:

• Extended Range: The missile has an operational range of 1,500 km, allowing it to destroy enemy ships or warships within 7 to 8 minutes of launch.

• Multi-Platform Deployment: It can be launched from both land and sea, enhancing its strategic versatility in warfare.

• Hypersonic Speed: Operating at Mach 10, the missile travels at a speed 10 times faster than sound, covering 3.37 km in just one second.

Bar-Headed Goose; GS-3(Env) ▪️Why in the news:

A rare bar-headed goose was rescued at Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh's West

Kameng district after being shot by miscreants.

• Bar-Headed Goose:

• Migratory Nature: The Bar-Headed Goose is a migratory bird species known for i remarkable flight capabilities.

• Scientific Name: Anser indicus

Altitude Adaptation: It is one of the highest-flying birds in the world, capable of reaching altitudes of 25,000 feet while crossing the Himalayas, where oxygen levels a low and temperatures are extremely harsh.

• Distribution of the Bar-Headed Goose:

• Native Range: This species primarily breeds in central Asia.

• Countries of Presence: It is found in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Japan, and neighboring regions.

• Migration Pattern: During winters, it migrates to various parts of South Asia.

> Physical Characteristics of the Bar-Headed Goose:

• Distinctive Appearance: The bird has a gray and white body with two brownish-black horseshoe-shaped bars on the back of its white head.

• Coloration: Its bill and legs are typically pink, orange, or yellow.