Greater Maldive Ridge (GMR)

Why in news?

• Researchers have traced the tectonic evolution of the Greater Maldive Ridge (GMR), a geodynamic feature in the western Indian Ocean,that can help reconstruct the original Gondwanaland break up.
• This process led to the present-day configuration of continents, continental fragments, and the formation of ocean basins in the Indian Ocean.

More about the news:

• The team found that the Maldive Ridge might have formed in the close vicinity of the Mid-Oceanic Ridge, where the creation of a new ocean floor occurs due to divergent motion of lithospheric plates or spreading center.
• The study also concluded that the Deep-Sea Channel region (DSC) may probably be oceanic in nature with the presence of underplated materials associated with hotspot volcanism.

About Greater Maldive Ridge:

• The Maldive Ridge is an aseismic ridge that is not associated with earthquake activities.
• This ridge is located in the western Indian Ocean, southwest of India.
• It extends from the western shore of the Indian Peninsula to the Arabian-Indian (or Carlsberg) Ridge.
• The peaks of the Maldive Ridge rise above the water, forming coral islands (atolls) - the Laccadive Islands, Maldive Islands, and Chagos Archipelago.
• The ridge largely remains uninvestigated and is of paramount importance to gain knowledge on the structure and geodynamics of these structures

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Which of the following statements are correct regarding ‘Greater Maldive Ridge’

1. It is characterized by active volcanoes and earthquakes.

2. The peaks of the Maldive Ridge rise above the water, forming coral islands

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer