PG

Prajnanandan GiriAIR 24

Question 14GS1GS1

The configuration of the ocean floor provides essential information about the geological processes that have shaped the Earth's surface. Discuss the major features of the ocean floor and their significance in the study of oceanography.

Open scan (p.32)

Introduction

Ocean floor consist of 70% of total world surface, which include various features like continental shelf c. slope, continental rise, trenches, sea mount mid-oceanic ridge etc.

26 words

Main Body

Major features -

1Continental shelf - It show continuation of continental plate. Depth upto 250 m to 1 km. And spread varies upto 100-500 km from coast.
2Continental slope - Part of ocean floor with inclination more than 45°. Present next to continental shelf.
3Continental rise - Formed due to deposition of sediments coming through rivers, that deposited after continental slop.
4Trenches / Deeps - Fleece are convergent plate boundaries of ocean-continent margins. eg Sunda trench Mariana trench.
5Mid-oceanic ridge - Part of divergent plate boundary, formed due to divergence of plate leading to upwelling of magma. eg Mid-Atlantic ridge.
6Sea mounts - Formed due to hotspot activities eg Reunion hotspot.
7Sea plains / Perilthic realm - Vast plains under sea - part with inclination 0° to 5° only.

Significance in study of oceanography -

1. The age of ocean can be found through paleomagnetism - parallel band of rocks on sea-floor.

2. Helps study various ocean deposits - help to interpret bio-geography of ocean.

3. Helps in studying geological history - eg Gondwanaland separation along the ridges due to divergence.

4. Help study marine resources - eg Hydro-thermal vents -> source of sulphides & polymetallic nodules.

5. Helps study the tides, ocean currents and how they are impacted by ocean configuration.

With development of new technology, the entire ocean floor is being mapped. They will further help understand various phenomenon under ocean.

240 words14 paragraphs

Conclusion

With development of new technology, the entire ocean floor is being mapped. They will further help understand various phenomenon under ocean.

21 words

Diagram

Configuration of ocean floor showing depth zones (0m to 4000m+), continental shelf, continental slope, mid-oceanic ridge, trench, sea mounts labeled with depth markers

Topper

Prajnanandan Giri

AIR 24

Subject & Paper

GS1GS1

Topic

Important Geophysical Phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.

Ocean floor configuration

Ocean floor features and oceanography

Writing Stats

287

Total words

14

Paragraphs