UNDERWATER STRUCTURES ON THE OCEAN FLOOR

Ashoka, Chandragupt, and Kalpataru are the names of three underwater formations that were recently identified in the Indian Ocean. These names represent India's expanding prominence in marine science as well as its dedication to studying and comprehending the Indian Ocean. The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO adopted the naming proposal put up by India.

Our UPSC Preparation Course, available both online and offline, offers an extensive exploration of Indian and world history. The MalukaIAS Courses delves into major global events, including the Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, and the World Wars, emphasising their impact on modern society. Our GS Foundation csat optional 2025 is also having well-structured modules aligned with the UPSC syllabus, students will gain a thorough understanding of all the subjects and their relevance. Whether you opt for our daily current affairs note or test series, this program is designed to help aspirants master current affairs for the UPSC exams.

WHO WERE ASHOKA AND CHANDRAGUPTA

CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA

Chandragupta Maurya (350–295 BCE) was the first Emperor of Magadha and the patriarch of the Maurya dynasty, who built a sizable kingdom with Magadha as its centre. Using the assistance of Chanakya (Kautilya), he ousted Dhanananda, the final monarch of the Nanda dynasty, and named himself emperor, taking advantage of the decline and weakness of the Nandas. He gave up his crown and became a follower of Jain instructor Bhadrabahu.

ASHOKA

Ashoka (269 BC) was Born in approximately 269 BC, he was the third monarch of the Mauryan dynasty, following Chandragupta Maurya and Bindusara. A key component of Ashoka's reign was his promotion of Buddhism and his Dhamma policy. His edicts at Rock and Pillar bear the names of Priyadasi and Devanampiya, which he took on.

KALPATARU

The Sanskrit word "Kalpataru" means "wish-fulfilling tree." It is sometimes connected to a heavenly tree in Hindu mythology that bestows blessings on those who approach it with wishes and wants. The idea represents wealth, success, and realising one's aspirations.

UNESCO’S INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION (IOC)

• In the areas of marine sciences, capacity building, ocean observations and services, ocean science, tsunami warning, and ocean literacy, it fosters worldwide cooperation.
• India has been a member of it since 1946 and it currently has 150 member states.
• The IOC's efforts support UNESCO's goal of advancing research and its applications for social and economic prosperity.
• The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021–2030, sometimes referred to as the "Ocean Decade," is being coordinated by the IOC.

INTERNATIONAL HYDROGRAPHIC ORGANISATION (IHO)

• It is an intergovernmental technical and consultative group that was founded in 1921 with the goals of improving maritime environment protection and navigation safety.
• India is one of the IHO's members.

VARIOUS UNDERWATER STRUCTURES/RELIEF ON THE OCEAN FLOOR

• More than 70% of the Earth's surface is made up of water, which is known as the ocean floor or seabed. Elements including nickel, copper, zinc, gold, and phosphorus are found there.
• The interactions between tectonic plates as well as erosional, depositional, and volcanic processes are the main sources of ocean relief.

ZONES OF OCEAN FLOOR

Continental Shelf: The shallowest and widest part of the ocean floor. Extends from the coast to the edge of the continent, where it drops sharply into the continental slope. Rich in marine life and resources, such as fish, oil, and gas.

Continental Slope: The steep slope that connects the continental shelf to the abyssal plain. Cut by deep canyons and valleys that are formed by underwater landslides and rivers of sediment. Home to some deep-sea creatures, such as octopuses, squids, and anglerfish.

Continental Rise: Made up of thick sequences of continental material that accumulate between the continental slope and the abyssal plain. It can rise from processes such as the downhill movement of sediment, the settling of particles carried by underwater currents, and the slow settling of both non-living and living particles from above.

Abyssal Plain: The flattest part of the ocean floor. Covers most of the ocean basin and lies between 4,000 and 6,000 metres below sea level. Covered by a thick layer of fine sediments that are carried by ocean currents and settle on the seafloor. Inhabited by some of the most bizarre and mysterious animals on Earth, such as giant tube worms, bioluminescent fish, and vampire squids.

Oceanic Deeps or Trenches: These areas are the deepest parts of the oceans. The trenches are relatively steep sided, narrow basins. They are some 3-5 km deeper than the surrounding ocean floor. They occur at the bases of continental slopes and along island arcs and are associated with active volcanoes and strong earthquakes, so are very significant in the study of plate movements.

MINOR RELIEF FEATURES OF OCEAN FLOOR

Submarine Canyons: They are significant geological structures found on continental margins, serving as connections between the upper continental shelf and the abyssal plain. They are deep, narrow valleys featuring vertical sidewalls and steep slopes, similar to land valleys.

Mid Oceanic Ridges: They are found along diverging plate boundaries where tectonic plates move apart, and the gap is filled by upwelling magma that solidifies to form new oceanic crust. These ridges consist of two parallel mountain ranges separated by a deep depression. The mountain peaks can reach heights of up to 2,500 metres.

Seamounts and Guyots: Seamounts are undersea mountains formed by volcanic activity that rise hundreds or thousands of feet from the sea floor, often near plate boundaries. Example the Emperor seamount, an extension of the Hawaiian Islands in Pacific Ocean. Guyots are flat-topped seamounts that have been submerged as the seafloor gradually sinks away from oceanic ridges.

Atoll: It is a ring-shaped formation of coral reefs or islands that encircles a lagoon, typically developing seamounts. These structures consist of low islands in tropical oceans, with the reef surrounding a central depression that can contain various types of water, including seawater, fresh water, or brackish water.

MAJOR POINTS ABOUT THE UNDERWATER STRUCTURES

• The discoveries of these underwater structures are part of the Indian Southern Ocean Research Programme, initiated in 2004, with the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) as the nodal agency.
• The program aims to study various aspects including bio-geochemistry, biodiversity, and hydrodynamics.
• Total Structures: Seven structures, including the recently added ones in the Indian Ocean, are now named primarily after Indian scientists or based on names proposed by India.

PREVIOUSLY NAMED STRUCTURES

RECENTLY NAMED STRUCTURES

• Ashoka Seamount: It was discovered in 2012. It is in an oval-shaped structure spanning approximately 180 sq km and was identified using the Russian vessel Akademik Nikolay Strakhov.

• Kalpataru Ridge: It was discovered in 2012. This elongated ridge covers an area of 430 sq km and may play a critical role in supporting marine biodiversity. Experts believe that this ridge could have provided essential support for marine life by offering habitat shelter and food sources for various species.

• Chandragupt Ridge: This ridge is an elongated structure covering 675 sq km. It was identified in 2020 by the Indian research vessel MGS Sagar.