OCEANOGRAPHY
Introduction
The oceans, encompassing around 70% of Earth's surface, stand as the largest and
most prominent feature on our planet, defining its unique character. With a single
interconnected body of water known as the world ocean, it is divided into five
principal oceans viz. the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic Oceans.
Marine Resources:
Marine resources consist of the oceans and seas, covering about 70% of the
Earth's surface.
• Marine Organisms: Oceans are home to a diverse array of organisms, many
of which are harvested for human consumption. This includes fish,
shellfish, and seaweed.
• Mineral Resources: Oceans contain vast amounts of mineral resources.
These include oil and natural gas reserves, sand and gravel, and various
polymetallic nodules containing manganese, copper, cobalt, and nickel.
• Energy Resources: Marine resources also include renewable energy
sources like wind, wave, tidal, and thermal energy.
, OCEANOGRAPHY
Divisions of the Ocean Floor
The ocean floor can be classified into several major divisions that play important
roles in the Earth's geography –
Continental-Oceanic margin, Continental Shelf, Continental Slope,
Continental Rise, Deep ocean plains, and Oceanic Ridges.
Continental-Oceanic Margin
The continental-oceanic margin is a significant division of the ocean floor,
characterized by its unique features and geological processes.
Continental Shelf
The continental shelf, an extension of the continent, exhibits various
characteristics that vary across different regions. Its width, angle, and depth play
crucial roles in shaping coastal areas.
• Angle: The continental shelf has a slight inclination, typically around 10.
• Depth: The depth of the continental shelf ranges from shallow areas
of about 30 meters to deeper regions of up to 600 meters.
, OCEANOGRAPHY
• Width: The width of the continental shelf varies greatly, with examples
such as the wide shelves in the Bay of Bengal and the East Coast of North
America, contrasting with the virtually absent shelf on the West Coast of
South America.
• Sedimentary Deposits: The continental shelf is covered with sediments,
including those brought down by rivers and glaciers.
• Shelf Break: The continental shelf ends with a steep slope known as the
shelf break.
Continental Slope
The continental slope connects the continental shelf to the ocean basins and
exhibits distinct features and characteristics.
• Steep Slope: The continental slope steepens abruptly at the edge of the
continental shelf.
• Gradient: The slope region's gradient ranges from 2° to 5°.
• Depth: The depth of the slope region varies between 200 meters and 3
kilometers.
• Continental Rise: The seaward edge of the continental slope gradually
loses gradient, giving rise to the continental rise.
• Canyons and Trenches: Canyons and trenches are prominent features
observed in the continental slope region.
Continental Rise
• The continental rise is a sediment underwater feature located between the
continental slope and the abyssal plain.
Introduction
The oceans, encompassing around 70% of Earth's surface, stand as the largest and
most prominent feature on our planet, defining its unique character. With a single
interconnected body of water known as the world ocean, it is divided into five
principal oceans viz. the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic Oceans.
Marine Resources:
Marine resources consist of the oceans and seas, covering about 70% of the
Earth's surface.
• Marine Organisms: Oceans are home to a diverse array of organisms, many
of which are harvested for human consumption. This includes fish,
shellfish, and seaweed.
• Mineral Resources: Oceans contain vast amounts of mineral resources.
These include oil and natural gas reserves, sand and gravel, and various
polymetallic nodules containing manganese, copper, cobalt, and nickel.
• Energy Resources: Marine resources also include renewable energy
sources like wind, wave, tidal, and thermal energy.
, OCEANOGRAPHY
Divisions of the Ocean Floor
The ocean floor can be classified into several major divisions that play important
roles in the Earth's geography –
Continental-Oceanic margin, Continental Shelf, Continental Slope,
Continental Rise, Deep ocean plains, and Oceanic Ridges.
Continental-Oceanic Margin
The continental-oceanic margin is a significant division of the ocean floor,
characterized by its unique features and geological processes.
Continental Shelf
The continental shelf, an extension of the continent, exhibits various
characteristics that vary across different regions. Its width, angle, and depth play
crucial roles in shaping coastal areas.
• Angle: The continental shelf has a slight inclination, typically around 10.
• Depth: The depth of the continental shelf ranges from shallow areas
of about 30 meters to deeper regions of up to 600 meters.
, OCEANOGRAPHY
• Width: The width of the continental shelf varies greatly, with examples
such as the wide shelves in the Bay of Bengal and the East Coast of North
America, contrasting with the virtually absent shelf on the West Coast of
South America.
• Sedimentary Deposits: The continental shelf is covered with sediments,
including those brought down by rivers and glaciers.
• Shelf Break: The continental shelf ends with a steep slope known as the
shelf break.
Continental Slope
The continental slope connects the continental shelf to the ocean basins and
exhibits distinct features and characteristics.
• Steep Slope: The continental slope steepens abruptly at the edge of the
continental shelf.
• Gradient: The slope region's gradient ranges from 2° to 5°.
• Depth: The depth of the slope region varies between 200 meters and 3
kilometers.
• Continental Rise: The seaward edge of the continental slope gradually
loses gradient, giving rise to the continental rise.
• Canyons and Trenches: Canyons and trenches are prominent features
observed in the continental slope region.
Continental Rise
• The continental rise is a sediment underwater feature located between the
continental slope and the abyssal plain.
