The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), have named three underwater geographical structures located in the Indian Ocean as Ashoka seamount, the Chandragupt ridge, and Kalpataru ridge.
- The names of the structure were proposed by India to IHO and IOC.
- Ashoka seamount and the Chandragupt ridge are named after the Mauryan dynasty rulers Ashoka and Chandragupta Maurya, respectively.
Note: The worldwide ocean data is maintained and provided by the General Bathymetric Chart of Oceans operating under the IOC and IHO.
Discovery of the new Structures:
i.These three structures were discovered by oceanographers from the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa.
ii.These structures, located along the Southwest Indian Ridge area of the Indian Ocean, were discovered during the Indian Southern Ocean Research Programme.
iii.Ashok seamount and Kalpataru ridge were discovered by the Indian research team in 2012 with the help of the Russian Sea vessel Akademik Nikolay Strakhov.
iv.Chandragupt Ridge was discovered in 2020 by the Indian Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) MGS Sagar, sailing under the flag of Vanuatu.
About the New Structures:
i.Ashok seamount is an oval-shaped structure spanning over an area of 180 square(sq) kilometres (Km).
ii.Kalpataru ridge is spread over an area of 430 sq km. This may have supported marine life, habitat shelter and food for various species.
- “Kalpataru” is a Sanskrit term that translates to “wish-fulfilling tree.” In Hindu mythology, it is often associated with a divine tree that grants wishes and desires to those who seek its blessings.
iii.Chandragupt ridge is an elongated and oval-shaped body spread over an area of 675 sq km.
About Indian Southern Ocean Research Programme:
i.This is an International Survey Exploration Programme undertaken by India since 2004, with NCPOR as the Nodal agency. It was initiated by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
- NCPOR, formerly known as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), was established as an autonomous Research and Development Institution of the MoES on the 25th May 1998.
ii.The exploration aims to study bio-geochemistry, biodiversity, lower atmospheric processes, paleoclimate, hydrodynamics, and air-sea interactions among other research areas.
iii.The pilot expedition of the programme took place onboard the ORV Sagar Kanya.
Other noted structures in the Indian Ocean:
With the addition of these 3 new structures, there are now 7structures in the Indian Ocean which are named after Indian scientists or bear names proposed by India.
The 7 structures include,
i.Raman Ridge, discovered in 1951 by a US oil vessel. It was named after Indian Physicist and Nobel Laureate Sir CV Raman in 1992.
ii.Panikkar Seamount was discovered by ORV Sagar Kanya in 1992. It is named after Nedumangattu Kesava(NK) Panikkar, a renowned oceanographer, in 1993.
iii.Sagar Kanya Seamount was discovered in 1986 by the ORV Sagar Kanya during its 22nd cruise. The seamount was named after the ORV Sagar Kanya in 1991.
iv.DN Wadia Guyot was discovered in 1992 by ORV Sagar Kanya. It was named after the Inidan geologist Darashaw Nosherwan(DN) Wadia in 1993.
Definitions:
Seamount: A seamount is an underwater mountain with steep sides rising from the seafloor.
Ridge: A ridge is a long, narrow, elevated geomorphologic landform with steep sides that separate it from the surrounding terrain.
The ridge is an underground mountain formation on the seafloor.
Guyot: Guyot is an isolated underwater volcanic mountain with a flat top that’s more than 200 meters below the ocean’s surface.
About International Hydrographic Organization (IHO):
IHO is an intergovernmental organization established in 1921.
Secretary-General– Dr Mathias Jonas (Germany)
Secretariat– Monaco
Members states– 100 (including India)
About Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO:
IOC is an intergovernmental organization established in 1960 by the UNESCO. It is the only UN body specialized in ocean science and services.
Chairperson- Dr Yutaka Michida (Japan)
Headquarters- Paris, France
Member states- 150 Member States (including India).
