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Newly Named Indian Ocean Structures
Context:
Three underwater structures in the Indian Ocean have been named after historical Indian figures: Ashoka, Chandragupta, and Kalpataru. These names were proposed by India and approved by the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
Location and Discovery:
- Southwest Indian Ridge: The structures are located along the Southwest Indian Ridge in the Indian Ocean.
- Discovered by NCPOR: These structures were discovered by oceanographers from the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, during an international survey exploration program.
Details of the Structures:
- Ashoka Seamount: Discovered in 2012 by the Russian vessel Akademik Nikolay Strakhov, this oval-shaped seamount spans over 180 sq km.
- Chandragupt Ridge: Discovered in 2020 by the Indian vessel MGS Sagar, this elongated and oval-shaped ridge covers 675 sq km.
- Kalpataru Ridge: Also discovered in 2012 by the Russian vessel, this elongated ridge covers an area of 430 sq km.
Previous Indian-Named Structures:
- Raman Ridge: Named in 1992 after physicist Sir CV Raman, was discovered in 1951.
- Panikkar Seamount: Named in 1993 after oceanographer NK Panikkar, discovered by Sagar Kanya.
- Sagar Kanya Seamount: Named in 1991 after the research vessel Sagar Kanya, was discovered during its 22nd cruise in 1986.
- DN Wadia Guyot: Named in 1993 after geologist DN Wadia, discovered in 1992 by Sagar Kanya.
Indian Southern Ocean Research Programme:
- Launched in 2004: The Indian Southern Ocean Research Programme was initiated with NCPOR as the nodal agency.
- Research Focus: The programme aims to study various aspects of the Southern Ocean, including bio-geochemistry, biodiversity, hydrodynamics, and air-sea interactions.
Seamounts in the Indian Ocean:
- Characteristics: Seamounts are extinct submarine volcanoes, often conical and flat-topped, rising at least 1,000 metres above the ocean floor.
- Indian Ocean Seamounts: Examples include Bardin, Kohler, Nikitin, and Williams seamounts, particularly abundant between Réunion and Seychelles.
Geographical Features of the Indian Ocean:
- Ocean Basins: The Indian Ocean features smooth, sediment-covered plains with abyssal hills and complex ridge topography leading to several basins.
- Continental Shelf: The Indian Ocean’s continental shelf extends to an average width of 120 km, with significant submarine canyons carved by major rivers like the Ganges and Indus.
- Trenches: The Indian Ocean has few trenches, with the Java Trench being the most notable, known for its seismic activity and association with the 2004 tsunami.
- Bottom Deposits: The Indian Ocean has the highest suspended sediment load, mainly from the Indian subcontinent, with thick deposits in regions like the Bay of Bengal.
