Correct answer: (b) Intertrappean beds – Fossils of sea plants and animals
Explanation
- A
Depth of middle trap – 1200 metres approximately
This option claims that the depth of the middle trap is approximately 1200 metres. This statement is factually correct according to standard geological surveys of the Deccan Trap formations, making it a correctly matched pair.
- B
Intertrappean beds – Fossils of sea plants and animals
This option claims that the intertrappean beds contain fossils of sea plants and animals. This statement is incorrect because intertrappean beds predominantly contain freshwater and terrestrial fossils rather than marine fossils, making this the correct choice for the mismatched pair.
- C
Depth of lower trap – 150 metres approximately
This option claims that the depth of the lower trap is approximately 150 metres. This geological measurement matches standard stratigraphic classifications of the Deccan Traps, rendering this pair correctly matched.
- D
Depth of upper trap – 450 metres approximately
This option claims that the depth of the upper trap is approximately 450 metres. This figure aligns with accepted geological data regarding the upper trap thickness, meaning this pair is correctly matched.
Summary. Official key is (b) because the intertrappean beds are associated with freshwater and terrestrial fossils rather than marine fossils. The Deccan Trap is divided into upper, middle, and lower traps with distinct depth measurements. Options (a), (c), and (d) accurately reflect the respective depths of these trap layers. Therefore, option (b) is the only incorrectly matched pair among the choices provided.