UPSC Notes

The temperature-depth profile for the ocean water shows how the temperature decreases with the increasing depth. Vertical distribution of temperature is determined by calculating the difference between surface water temperature and water temperature at specified depths. Horizontal distribution of temperature is determined by calculating monthly or seasonal means for specified depths. The profile shows a

The temperature of the ocean surface affects the salinity, or salt level, of ocean water. Near the equator, warm water evaporates into the atmosphere more quickly than it can be replaced by waters from below. Since evaporation only occurs when the water is warmer than the air, this results in high salinity in tropical regions.

Apart from the above-mentioned major relief features of the ocean floor, some minor but significant features predominate in different parts of the oceans. These are thermal vents of various types, gas vents, submarine caves, and channel-like depressions. Mid-Oceanic Ridges A mid-oceanic ridge is composed of two chains of mountains separated by a large depression. The

The ocean floors are part of the major divisions of the oceans of the world. The ocean floors can be divided into four major divisions: (i) the Continental Shelf; (ii) the Continental Slope; (iii) the Deep Sea Plain; 4) the Oceanic Deeps. Continental Shelf: The continental shelf is the sediment-covered, relatively shallow part of a

The oceanic ridge is the site of frequent earthquakes. Volcanism is common in ocean ridges and it produces many relief features. Scattered over the entire sea floor are thousands of submerged volcanoes with sharp tops called seamounts. The oceans, unlike the continents, merge so naturally into one another that it is hard to demarcate them.

Water is the only substance found at all three levels of the earth (surface, subsurface and atmosphere). The hydrological cycle is a process of circulation of a fluid through a system of a closed-loop. It happens due to the conservation of energy and momentum. This makes sure that water will always reach its lowest level,

Climate change is causing severe problems for plant and animal species around the globe. It is largely caused by the emission of greenhouse gases, which cause the atmosphere to retain more heat. Scientists are concerned about climate change because its effects are far-reaching. Animals are threatened by shifting climates, melting ice caps, rising sea levels,

Rainfall refers to the one of water, which evaporates from the land and sea surface and falls again in the form of precipitation. Precipitation is defined as any form of water bodies such as frozen snow, hail, ice, etc., which fall from the sky; while the term ‘rainfall’ means all forms of water bodies condensing

Convectional rainfall or vapor-induced rainfall is caused by the rising of air caused due to its expansion from adiabatic cooling, resulting in the expulsion of moisture from the rising air. It is more commonly known as Steam-induced rain, especially if it is associated with a surface steam explosion. Such thunderstorms usually develop during short-lived temperature

Precipitation is the process of continuous condensation in free air. The condensed particles grow in size and fall onto the earth’s surface. It rains due to the disruption of the temperature gradient and continuous condensation. The heat from the earth’s surface is incapable of entering into it, as a result of which rain clouds are