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Ocean Floor: Major Divisions, Minor Ocean Relief and Importance

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The ocean floor is a vast and dynamic landscape that is characterized by a variety of geological features, including trenches, ridges, seamounts, abyssal plains, and hydrothermal vents. These features are the result of various geological processes such as seafloor spreading, subduction, volcanism, and erosion. 

Ocean Floor Variations are one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Indian Polity General Studies paper-1(Mains)  syllabus and current events for the UPSC prelims exam.

In this article, we shall study the complete overview of Ocean Floor Variations  for UPSC and Important facts regarding it.

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What is Ocean Floor?

The ocean floor is the bottom of the ocean, which covers over 70% of the Earth's surface. It comprises a vast area with diverse geological features, including mountains, valleys, ridges, and plains. The ocean floor is mostly unexplored and its study is known as bathymetry. Techniques such as sonar, radar, and satellites are used to map the ocean floor. The ocean floor plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate and is also an important resource for oil, gas, and minerals. It is also home to a diverse range of marine life.

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Major Divisions of Ocean Floor 

The ocean floor can be divided into four major divisions, which are:

  • Continental Shelf
  • Continental Slope
  • Abyssal Plains
  • Submarine Ridges

Continental Shelf

The continental shelf is a shallow, gently sloping area of the seafloor that extends from the shore to the edge of the continental slope. It is the submerged part of the continent that is covered by water and is characterized by a depth of around 200 meters. Some of the important features of the continental shelf are:

  • It is rich in marine life and is an important area for fishing and oil exploration.
  • It has a gradual slope, with an average gradient of 0.1 to 1 degree.
  • It can extend up to 1,000 kilometers from the shore.
  • It has a flat surface, and the depth of the water gradually increases towards the continental slope.

Continental Slope

The continental slope is a steep slope that connects the continental shelf to the ocean floor. It is characterized by a sharp drop in depth and a gradient of around 4 to 5 degrees. Some of the important features of the continental slope are:

  • It is a boundary between the continent and the deep ocean.
  • It is the site of various geological processes such as underwater landslides and turbidity currents.
  • It is characterized by submarine canyons and gullies that are carved by turbidity currents.

Abyssal Plains

The abyssal plain is a flat, featureless area of the seafloor that is located at a depth of around 4,000 to 6,000 meters. It covers around 50% of the ocean floor and is characterized by sediment deposits and. Some of the important features of the abyssal plains are:

  • It is a relatively smooth and flat area that is devoid of any major geological features.
  • It is the site of the Mid-Oceanic Ridge system, which is the longest mountain range in the world.
  • It is characterized by hydrothermal vents that are home to unique forms of marine life.

Submarine Ridges

Submarine ridges are underwater mountain ranges that are formed due to tectonic activity. They are characterized by steep slopes and rugged terrain. Some of the important features of submarine ridges are:

  • They are the sites of volcanic activity and are associated with the formation of islands and seamounts.
  • They are home to unique forms of marine life that are adapted to the extreme conditions.

Continental Shelf 

The continental shelf is the shallowest part of the ocean floor that surrounds each continent. It extends from the shore to a depth of about 200 meters and is characterized by the following features:

  • A gently sloping platform that extends from the coastline into the ocean
  • A width that varies from a few kilometers to several hundred kilometers
  • An average gradient of less than 1 degree
  • A relatively flat topography with occasional sandbars, reefs, and rocky outcrops
  • A depth that is shallow enough to support marine life and provide a habitat for various organisms, including coral reefs, kelp forests, and commercial fish stocks
  • A rich source of natural resources, including oil and gas reserves, sand and gravel, and minerals such as tin, copper, and nickel.

Continental Slope

The continental slope is a steeply sloping zone that extends from the edge of the continental shelf to the abyssal plain. It is characterized by the following features:

  • A steep gradient that can range from 3 to 6 degrees or more
  • A narrow width that varies from a few kilometers to several hundred kilometers
  • A topography that is marked by underwater canyons, channels, and ridges
  • A depth that can range from 200 to 3,000 meters or more
  • A transition zone between the continental shelf and the deep ocean basins.

Abyssal Plains 

The abyssal plain is the vast, flat region of the ocean floor that extends beyond the continental slope. It is characterized by the following features:

  • A depth that ranges from 3,000 to 6,000 meters or more
  • A smooth and relatively flat topography, with occasional volcanic peaks or seamounts
  • A sedimentary cover that can be several kilometers thick

Submarine Ridges

Submarine ridges are long, narrow elevations that rise above the surrounding seafloor. They are characterized by the following features:

  • A length that can range from a few hundred to several thousand kilometers
  • A width that varies from a few kilometers to several hundred kilometers
  • A topography that is marked by underwater mountains or volcanic peaks
  • A depth that can range from a few hundred to several thousand meters
  • A location along the boundaries of tectonic plates
  • Submarine ridges are important locations for scientific research, as they provide insights into the formation of the Earth's crust and the movement of tectonic plates.

Guyots and Seamounts

Guyots and seamounts are underwater mountains that rise above the surrounding seafloor. They are characterized by the following features:

  • A height that can range from a few hundred to several thousand meters
  • A topography that is marked by flat or gently sloping tops, with steep sides
  • A location that is often far from the nearest continental landmass
  • A variety of marine habitats, including coral reefs and deep-sea ecosystems
  • Guyots are seamounts that have a flat or slightly domed top, while seamounts have a pointed top. Both are formed through volcanic activity and can provide important information about the geological processes that occur in the deep ocean.

Submarine Trenches/Ocean Deeps

Submarine trenches, also known as ocean trenches or deep-sea trenches, are long, narrow depressions in the ocean floor that can extend for hundreds or thousands of kilometers. They are characterized by the following features:

  • A depth that can range from 5,000 to over 11,000 meters, making them some of the deepest locations on Earth
  • A narrow width that ranges from a few kilometers to several hundred kilometers
  • A steep topography, with walls that can be up to 10 kilometers high
  • A location along the boundaries of tectonic plates, where one plate is forced beneath another in a process known as subduction

In addition to their scientific importance, submarine trenches can also have significant economic and geopolitical importance. They are often associated with the formation of mineral deposits, and their location can influence shipping routes and territorial disputes between nations.

Features of Minor Ocean Relief 

In addition to the major divisions of the ocean floor, there are also minor features that contribute to the overall topography of the seabed. Some of the notable minor features of the ocean floor include:

  • Volcanic cones: small, cone-shaped mounds on the ocean floor that are formed by the eruption of underwater volcanoes
  • Hydrothermal vents: cracks or fissures in the ocean floor that release geothermally heated water, creating unique ecosystems of organisms that are adapted to the extreme conditions
  • Seamounts: underwater mountains that rise above the surrounding seabed, but do not reach the surface of the water
  • Fracture zones: linear zones on the ocean floor that are characterized by a series of small, interconnected cracks and fissures
  • Guyots: flat-topped seamounts that have been eroded over time, often leaving behind a flat, circular top
  • Coral reefs: structures created by living organisms, such as coral, that form complex ecosystems and are often found in shallow waters near landmasses
  • These minor features can provide important habitats for marine life, and they also contribute to the overall diversity of the ocean floor. They can also play a role in oceanographic processes, such as the distribution of ocean currents and the transport of sediment and nutrients.

Importance of Ocean Floors 

Sure, here are some of the important functions and significance of ocean floors:

  • Habitat: Ocean floors provide habitats for a wide range of marine organisms, from the smallest microorganisms to the largest predators, contributing to global biodiversity.
  • Resource extraction: The ocean floor is a source of valuable minerals, oil, and gas reserves, which can be extracted for human use.
  • Climate regulation: The ocean floor plays a crucial role in the global carbon cycle and helps regulate Earth's climate by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide.
  • Ocean circulation: The topography of the ocean floor affects the circulation of ocean currents, which in turn impacts global weather patterns.
  • Plate tectonics: The ocean floor is a site of active plate tectonic activity and plays a key role in the formation of new oceanic crust and the movement of continents.
  • History and geology: The ocean floor preserves a record of Earth's history and geology, including the evolution of life and the history of climate change.
  • Exploration and research: The ocean floor remains largely unexplored, and continued research and exploration can provide valuable insights into the planet's history and the complex interactions between the oceans and the atmosphere.

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Ocean Floor Variations FAQs

The 6 major parts of the ocean floor are the continental shelf, continental slope, continental rise, abyssal plain, submarine ridges, and ocean trenches.

The ocean floor is mainly composed of basaltic rock that forms the oceanic crust, which is thinner and denser than the continental crust. It also consists of sediment, which can be made up of organic and inorganic matter, as well as the remains of marine organisms.

The layer of the ocean floor is called the seabed or the ocean bottom. It includes all of the parts of the ocean floor, from the shallow continental shelves to the deep ocean trenches.

The variations in the ocean floor are caused by various geological processes such as seafloor spreading, subduction, volcanism, and erosion.

Seafloor spreading is a geological process that occurs at mid-ocean ridges where new oceanic crust is formed as magma rises to the surface and solidifies.

Subduction is a geological process where one tectonic plate moves beneath another and sinks into the mantle. This process often leads to the formation of trenches.
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