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Water (Oceans)

The document outlines key concepts related to Earth's hydrosphere, focusing on the distribution of water, the hydrological cycle, and the relief features of the ocean floor. It details the composition of oceans, the significance of continental shelves, slopes, abyssal plains, and oceanic trenches. Additionally, it highlights the importance of these features for marine life and mineral resources.

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Dhun Chaturvedi
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119 views2 pages

Water (Oceans)

The document outlines key concepts related to Earth's hydrosphere, focusing on the distribution of water, the hydrological cycle, and the relief features of the ocean floor. It details the composition of oceans, the significance of continental shelves, slopes, abyssal plains, and oceanic trenches. Additionally, it highlights the importance of these features for marine life and mineral resources.

Uploaded by

Dhun Chaturvedi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Target 2026: Geography Short Notes

By Shashank Tyagi
Water (Ocean)
Water (Oceans): Core Concepts
• Hydrosphere: Earth's water component.
• Oceans: Vast, interconnected bodies of saltwater.
Water Distribution on Earth
• Total Water: 100%
• Oceans: 97.3% (saline)
• Freshwater: 2.7%
o Ice Caps/Glaciers: 2.0% (largest freshwater reserve)
o Groundwater: 0.68%
o Freshwater Lakes: 0.01%
o Inland Seas/Salt Lakes: 0.009%
o Atmosphere: 0.001%
o Rivers: 0.0001%
Hydrological Cycle
• Continuous movement: Water.
• Sun's energy: Drives cycle.
• Processes:
o Evaporation (liquid to gas).
o Transpiration (plants to atmosphere).
o Condensation (gas to liquid/solid, cloud formation).
o Precipitation (rain, snow, hail).
o Runoff (water flowing over land).
o Infiltration (water seeping into ground).
• Reservoirs: Oceans, atmosphere, land, groundwater.
Relief of the Ocean Floor
• Major divisions: Four main relief features.
• Submerged extension: Continents beneath ocean water.
• Varying depth/relief: Not flat plains.
Continental Shelf
• Shallowest part: Ocean margin.
• Gentle slope: Very gradual gradient.
• Average width: 80km.
• Average depth: 100m.

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Target 2026: Geography Short Notes
By Shashank Tyagi
• Variable width: Zero (e.g., Chile coast) to hundreds of km (e.g., Arctic Ocean/Siberia).
• Formation:
o Submergence of continental land.
o Sediment deposition from rivers.
o Sea-level fluctuations (glacial periods).
• Significance:
o Richest fishing grounds (e.g., Grand Banks).
o Abundant marine life (plankton).
o Vast mineral deposits (petroleum, natural gas - e.g., Mumbai High).
Continental Slope
• Steepest slope: Shelf break to deep ocean.
• Connects: Shelf to abyssal plain.
• Gradient: 2−5∘.
• Depth range: 200−3000m.
• Canyons/Trenches: Often dissected by submarine canyons or ocean trenches.
Deep Sea Plain (Abyssal Plain)
• Extensive flat areas: Deep ocean floor.
• Gentle slope: Minimal gradient.
• Depth range: 3000−6000m.
• Sedimentation: Fine-grained sediments (clay, silt) from land and marine organisms.
• Features: Often interrupted by oceanic ridges, seamounts, abyssal hills.
Oceanic Deeps/Trenches
• Deepest parts: Ocean basins.
• Steep-sided, narrow valleys: Longitudinal depressions.
• Tectonic origin: Associated with plate boundaries (subduction zones).
• Convergent boundaries: Common at these zones.
• Highest concentration: Pacific Ocean.
• Examples:
o Mariana Trench (Pacific): Deepest, 11,022m.
o Java Trench (Indian Ocean).
o Puerto Rico Trench (Atlantic Ocean).

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