Ocean floor holds vital clues on weather patterns, says study by INCOIS scientists
- April 26, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
No Comments
Ocean floor holds vital clues on weather patterns, says study by INCOIS scientists
Subject: Geography
Sec: Oceanography
Context:
- Scientists from the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) have conducted a study emphasizing the impact of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Maldives on the currents of the Indian Ocean.
Details:
- The research uncovered deep-swirling patterns in the ocean’s depths that move contrary to the surface currents, and these patterns can change direction and speed dramatically.
- The study was led by scientists Raheema Rahman and Hasibur Rahaman, focusing on the Indian Ocean’s bathymetry. It demonstrated improvements in understanding the salinity, temperature, and currents of the upper ocean, particularly near coastal areas.
- Accurate forecasts of oceanographic parameters such as currents, temperature, and salinity are vital for predicting weather and climate and are also significant for the maritime industry.
- The findings underline the importance of bathymetric data in improving our comprehension of ocean dynamics, which in turn enhances the accuracy of ocean state, weather, and climate forecasts for countries around the Indian rim and the broader subcontinent.
- The study, titled‘Impact of bathymetry on Indian Ocean circulation in a nested regional ocean model,’ was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Ocean currents:
- Ocean currents are the continuous, predictable, directional movement of seawater, similar to river flows but in oceans.
- These massive movements of ocean water are influenced by various forces.
- Ocean water movements occur in two directions: horizontally, known as currents, and vertically, referred to as upwellings or downwellings.
- Ocean currents have a significant impact on humanity and the biosphere by influencing the climate.
Classification of Ocean Currents
- Based on Depth:
- Surface Currents: Comprise about 10% of all ocean water, existing in the upper 400 meters of the ocean.
- Deep Water Currents: Make up the remaining 90% of ocean water, circulating around ocean basins due to variations in density and gravity.
- Density differences arise from variations in temperature and salinity.
- These currents typically originate in high latitudes, where colder temperatures increase water density, causing the water to sink into deep ocean basins.
- Based on Temperature:
- Cold Currents:
- Transport cold water from high latitudes to low latitudes.
- Commonly found on the west coasts of continents in the low and middle latitudes, moving clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere.
- On the east coasts of continents in high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Warm Currents:
- Move warm water from low to high latitudes.
- Generally observed on the east coasts of continents in the low and middle latitudes in both hemispheres.
- In the Northern Hemisphere, they are also found on the west coasts of continents in high latitudes.
Causes of ocean currents:
- Planetary Winds
- Variation in seawater temperatures
- Variation in water salinity
- Rotation of Earth
- Configuration of the coastline