Ninety East Ridge

The Ninety East Ridge is situated in the Indian Ocean. It is a major submarine ridge that extends over a distance of about 5,000 kilometers from the Bay of Bengal in the west to the Wharton Basin in the east. The ridge is named after its approximate longitudinal position, located at about 90 degrees east longitude.

Location and Extent

The Ninety East Ridge lies in the central part of the Indian Ocean, stretching from the southern tip of India to the western coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. It runs parallel to the equator, with its western end located near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and its eastern end near the Indonesian island of Java.

Formation and Geology

The Ninety East Ridge is a feature of immense geological significance. It is believed to have formed as a result of volcanic activity during the breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana around 90 million years ago. The ridge is composed mainly of basaltic lava flows and volcanic rocks, which were extruded onto the ocean floor through a series of volcanic eruptions.

The ridge is characterized by a series of underwater volcanic peaks, known as seamounts, which rise above the surrounding ocean floor. These seamounts are believed to have formed as a result of hotspot volcanism, where a stationary hotspot in the mantle beneath the Earth's crust causes the overlying crust to melt and form volcanoes.

Importance and Exploration

The Ninety East Ridge has attracted significant scientific interest due to its unique geological features and its potential for understanding the Earth's tectonic history. It provides valuable insights into the processes of seafloor spreading and plate tectonics.

Several scientific expeditions have been conducted to study the Ninety East Ridge and its geological formations. These expeditions have used advanced marine geophysical techniques, such as seismic profiling and bathymetric mapping, to gain a better understanding of the ridge's structure and formation.

In conclusion, the Ninety East Ridge is located in the Indian Ocean and extends over a distance of about 5,000 kilometers. It is an important geological feature that has provided valuable insights into the Earth's tectonic history.