The Secrets of the Indian Ocean: How Was the Longest Underwater Mountain Range Formed?

29th November 2024

2 minutes read

The Secrets of the Indian Ocean: How Was the Longest Underwater Mountain Range Formed?

A new study by Curtin University in Australia has revealed that the Ninety East Ridge, the world’s longest underwater mountain range, was formed through a previously unknown geological process.

Stretching over 5,000 kilometers in the Indian Ocean along the 90-degree east meridian, this ridge rivals the length of the Rocky Mountains in North America. These findings provide deeper insights into the movement of tectonic plates.

The research, led by Professor Qiang Jiang from China University of Petroleum, challenged longstanding assumptions about the formation of the Ninety East Ridge. Using precise dating techniques on minerals extracted from the ridge, scientists determined that the massive volcanic range formed between 83 and 43 million years ago, with the oldest sections located in the north near India, according to the science platform SciMex.

Dr. Hugo Olierook, a co-author of the study and a researcher at Curtin University’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, explained that the hotspot responsible for the ridge’s formation was not stationary, as previously believed.

“Unlike most volcanic hotspots that remain fixed beneath the Earth’s crust, creating volcanic trails as tectonic plates slide over them, this research shows that the hotspot forming the Ninety East Ridge moved several hundred kilometers within the Earth’s mantle over time,” he said.

The study highlighted that, while scientists have long suspected hotspot mobility, proving the motion of the hotspot responsible for this ridge was difficult. Although hotspot movement has been documented in parts of the Pacific Ocean, this is the first instance recorded in the Indian Ocean.

According to the report, this research not only revises the estimated age and origin of the ridge but also offers a new perspective on the dynamic processes shaping Earth’s tectonic plates over millions of years.

Professor Fred Jourdan, a co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of precise dating techniques in understanding Earth’s geological history:

“For years, rough age estimates of the Ninety East Ridge have been used to build models of tectonic plate movements. By refining these models with advanced dating techniques, we gain deeper insights into ancient continental shifts.”

The study also has significant implications for predicting natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Assistant Professor Jiang highlighted the importance of understanding Earth’s internal processes:

“Current knowledge of Earth’s internal structure remains limited. These studies are crucial steps toward improving our predictions.”

This discovery represents a major step forward in understanding Earth’s geological evolution and the shifting dynamics of tectonic plates, broadening the scope of Earth sciences.