India Names Three Underwater Structures in Indian Ocean

August 10, 2024

Three underwater geographical features in the Indian Ocean have been officially named, following proposals from India. These are the Ashoka Seamount, Chandragupt Ridge, and Kalpataru Ridge, recently recognized by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).

Details of the Structures

Ashoka Seamount: Discovered in 2012 by a Russian research ship called Akademik Nikolay Strakhov, this underwater mountain covers about 180 square kilometers.

Chandragupt Ridge: Found in 2020 by the Indian research ship MGS Sagar, this ridge is elongated and oval-shaped, stretching across 675 square kilometers.

Kalpataru Ridge: Also discovered in 2012 by the Akademik Nikolay Strakhov, this ridge covers 430 square kilometers and might serve as a habitat and food source for marine life.

Historical Context

In total, India has helped name seven underwater features in the Indian Ocean, mostly after Indian scientists. Some of these previously named features include:

Raman Ridge (1992): Named after the famous physicist Sir CV Raman.
Panikkar Seamount (1993): Honoring oceanographer NK Panikkar.
Sagar Kanya Seamount (1991): Named after the Indian research ship.
Wadia Guyot (1993): Recognizing geologist DN Wadia.

Research Initiatives

These discoveries are part of the Indian Southern Ocean Research Programme, which started in 2004. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa has been leading these ocean studies, focusing on various topics like the chemistry of the ocean and the diversity of marine life. Naming these underwater features not only helps us learn more about marine ecosystems but also boosts national pride by showcasing India’s scientific achievements in global oceanography.

About the Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third-largest ocean in the world, covering about 20% of the Earth’s water surface. It is surrounded by 38 countries and contains the world’s largest saltwater lake, Lake Urmia. The ocean is home to unique ecosystems, such as the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Indian Ocean is also known for the Agulhas Current, which is the most significant exchange of seawater in the world. It features the Indian Plate, a broken tectonic plate, and the Sunda Trench, the only oceanic trench in this region.

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