Indian Ocean Currents

Published: 3rd May, 2024

Context

Recent research by scientists at the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has revealed the profound influence of bathymetry on Indian Ocean currents. Their findings shed light on the intricate dynamics of ocean circulation, offering valuable insights for understanding marine phenomena.

Key Findings:

Bathymetric Influences: Bathymetry, the study of underwater depth of ocean floors, has emerged as a key determinant of Indian Ocean currents. By examining the topography of the ocean floor, scientists have identified deep-swirling patterns that exhibit contrasting behaviors to surface current.
Opposing Currents: The study unveils deep-swirling patterns in the Indian Ocean depths, contrary to surface currents.
- These patterns, observed around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Maldives, present a complex interplay between ocean depths and surface flows.
Influence of Landmasses: The presence of boundary currents along the coast of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the role of the Maldives Islands in extending the Equatorial Under Current (EUC) underscore the influence of landmasses on regional ocean currents.

Fact Box: Surface Currents and Deep Currents

Ocean Currents are of two main types:

Surface currents: They are driven by global wind systems that are fuelled by energy from the sun. These currents bring heat from the tropics to the polar regions; the Gulf Stream, for instance, brings warm water along the eastern coast of the US up to Northern Europe.
Deep currents, also known as thermohaline circulation, result from differences in water density. These currents occur when cold, dense water at the poles sinks. Surface water flows to replace sinking water, causing a conveyor belt-like effect of water circulating around the globe on a 1000-year journey.

CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC IAS

Indian Ocean Currents

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CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC IAS

Indian Ocean Currents

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