INCOIS Scientists Study showed that realistic representation of bathymetry led to improved surface current simulations | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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    INCOIS Scientists Study showed that realistic representation of bathymetry led to improved surface current simulations

    Posted 27 Apr 2024

    2 min read

    • Bathymetry is a technique dedicated to mapping the depths of water bodies (rivers, seas and oceans).  
      • Additionally, it also includes identifying underwater relief (seamounts, mountain ranges, valleys, etc) and creating three-dimensional maps of sea floor. 

     

    • Bathymetry impacts ocean circulation in several ways: 
      • Currents are modified near the coast, and even relatively small ridges on the sea floor can influence the direction of major ocean currents. 
      • In deep ocean, ridges serve as solid barriers separating bottom waters in adjacent ocean basins. 

     

    • Key findings 
      • East India Coastal Current (EICC):  At 1,000 metres and 2,000 metres depth, EICC flows opposite to that of the surface.
        • EICC is a seasonal ocean current in the Bay of Bengal. During the summer monsoon, EICC flows poleward, and during winter it flows equatorward. 
      • Equatorial Under Current (EUC): Presence of the Maldives Islands is responsible for the westward extent of EUC. 
        • EUC is a subsurface ocean current that flows eastward along the equatorial region. 
      • Current along Along Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANIs): Boundary current along the coast of ANIs was found at a depth of 2,000 metres. 
      • Salinity and temperature: Salinity and temperature of the upper ocean are very close to the observed value near the coast. 

     

    Indian National Center for Ocean Information Service (

    INCOIS)

    • Genesis: It was established as an autonomous body in 1999 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
    • About  
      • It is a unit of the Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO)
      • It is the permanent member of the Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO
      • It is also a founding member of the Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (IOGOOS) and the Partnership for Observing the Oceans (POGO).
    • Key functions: 
      • Mandated to provide the best possible ocean information and advisory services to society, industry, government agencies.
      • Provides warnings on tsunamis, storm surges, high waves, etc. through the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC). 
    • Tags :
    • Indian Ocean
    • INCOIS
    • Bathymetry
    • ocean currents
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