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.

Ocean floor case beset clearly geographical features which case as source of unirect and indirect information for geological process shaping the earth.

Ocean floor - information about geological process

e) Presence of mid Atlantic ridge show the divergence as per plate tectoric factories

e) Trenches in ocean floor show convergence of plates.

e) Sea flyot and Mounds indicate volcanism in ocean.

e) submarine canyon show movement of sediment to ocean carried by rivers.

e) clouds in ocean floor indicate receding due to earthquake.

Major features of Ocean floor

Continental shelf has high gradient, slopping from land HS slope.

thickness varies from region to region [Adritic - 200km (Siberia)] [Chile - 10-15km]

Continental slope of [glacial] - High gradient, sudden stepping closing of the shelf.

Abyssal Plains - O gradient; very smooth plains, one of the flattest plains on earth.

Abyssal plains - 0 gradient; very smooth plains, one of the flattest plains on earth

Significance in study of oceanography

e) Helps in mapping of resources as most resources found in shelf. eg-Oil in sebenis shelf

e) Predicts the time and intensity of tsunami if shelf and slope studied correctly.

e) A source to study eg complex process like volcanism, tectonic plate.

e) Helps in predicting the impact of events like El Nino due to ocean currents.

e) can help in restoration of marine bodies. eg-Mapping of ocean floor to establish Marine Park in Gujarati

e) can help out minerals like Poly metallic nodules.

Ocean floors are such sources of knowledge & resource extraction. Although responsible exploration can help compliment India's growth story.