Why in news?

Recently, a study of the Indian Ocean floor or the bathymetry was undertaken by scientists of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).

The study – ‘Impact of bathymetry on Indian Ocean circulation in a nested regional ocean model’ highlights the importance of bathymetry in ocean models to understand ocean movements better. This understanding is crucial for improving forecasts related to ocean conditions, weather, and climate, especially for Indian ocean rim countries and subcontinent.

What’s in today’s article?

• Bathymetry
• Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)
• Key highlights of the study

Bathymetry

• It is the study and mapping of the depth of water in oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams.
• Bathymetric maps are similar to topographic maps, which use lines to show the shape and elevation of land features. On bathymetric maps, the lines connect points of equal depth.
• Bathymetry is the foundation of the science of hydrography, which measures the physical features of a water body.
  • Hydrography includes not only bathymetry, but also the shape and features of the shoreline; the characteristics of tides, currents, and waves; and the physical and chemical properties of the water itself.

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)

• INCOIS is an autonomous organization of the Government of India.
• It provides ocean information and advisory services to the scientific community, industry, government agencies, and society.
• INCOIS is a unit of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO) and was established in 1999 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• It is located in Hyderabad.

Key highlights of the study

• The Contrasting Currents of the Indian Ocean
  • The Indian Ocean's currents are not solely governed by surface influences.
  • The study suggests that both the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Maldives islands play pivotal roles in altering the direction and speed of these currents, particularly in the deep ocean.
  • Interestingly, these submerged dynamics often contradict the movements observed at the ocean's surface, revealing a complex interplay between various oceanic forces.
• Revolutionizing Ocean Modeling: Correcting Coastal Currents Around India
  • The study revealed significant discrepancies in previously employed ocean modeling systems, particularly in their representation of coastal currents around India.
  • Through comprehensive bathymetry studies, notable enhancements have been achieved in accurately depicting upper ocean characteristics including salinity, temperature, and currents, particularly in coastal regions.
  • A more realistic East India Coastal Current (EICC) flow was estimated at 1,000 metres and 2,000 metres depth, which is opposite to that of the surface.
• Insights from Andaman, Nicobar, and Maldives
  • The study uncovered a significant boundary current tracing the coast of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at a depth of 2,000 meters, shedding light on previously unrecognized deep-sea dynamics.
  • Moreover, the presence of the Maldives Islands emerges as a key factor in extending the Equatorial Under Current (EUC)
    • EUC is a strong, narrow, eastward-flowing current that's located in the upper thermocline, centered on the equator.
    • It's a permanent feature of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and is also present in the Indian Ocean during the northeast monsoon in the spring and winter.
  • Notably, seasonal variations in the EUC's characteristics have been identified, with a more defined structure observed during the fall months in the eastern Equatorial Indian Ocean, at depths ranging from 50 to 100 meters.
  • However, in spring, it's a bit deeper, around 100 to 150 meters.
• The Crucial Role of Ocean Forecasting in Weather, Climate, and Industry
  • Oceans significantly influence weather, climate, and the maritime sector.
  • This highlights the need for precise forecasts of oceanographic parameters like currents, temperature, and salinity across various time frames.
  • Achieving accurate predictions relies on bolstered observations and refined modeling techniques, essential for supporting both economic activities and scientific understanding.