Batagay Crater
Newly captured aerial footage of Batagay Crater has revealed that it is growing every year as the frozen ground melts.
- World’s biggest permafrost crater
- Located in – Siberia, Russia
- Known as – “Gateway to Underworld” or “Doorway to Hell”
- Formed due to – Permafrost thaw.
Shinku La tunnel
Border Road Organisation will soon commence the construction of the 4.1-km long Shinku La tunnel.
- Significance – Once completed, this tunnel will become the world’s highest tunnel at 15,800 ft, surpassing Mila tunnel in China.
- Provide all-weather connectivity from Manali to Leh
- Expected to streamline the transportation of heavy machinery to strategic locations such as Kargil, Siachen, etc.
Rocky planet
Researchers have detected atmospheric gases surrounding 55 Cancri e, a hot rocky exoplanet (planet beyond solar system).
- Also known as – Terrestrial Planets, meaning earth-like
- Features – Made up of rock and metals, and have relatively high densities.
- Planets include – Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
- Lie between – Sun and the belt of asteroids.
AMS (Aggregate measurement of support)
The US and Australia accused India of exceeding the WTO’s 10% subsidy limit for developing countries by providing excessive subsidies to sugarcane farmers.
- It calculates annual support provided for agricultural products.
- Includes all product-specific support and non-product-specific support in one single figure.
- It is used to identify trade distortion subsidies that may need reduction as per the Agreement on Agriculture
Constructed Wetlands
Constructed wetlands are engineered structures designed to replicate the functions of natural wetlands.
- Composed of vegetation, soil and water, orchestrated to facilitate a seamless process of purification.
- Benefits –
- It replicates the functionalities of natural wetlands.
- Its construction and maintenance entail minimal energy consumption and lower operational expenses.
- Natural wetlands have often been referred to as “earth’s kidneys” because of their capacity to filter pollutants