Why in the news?

• India has bagged a polymetallic nodule exploration contract in the Carlsberg Ride of  the Indian Ocean  from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) 

Carlsberg Ridge

• Location & Extent:
  • The Carlsberg Ridge is a ~3,00,000 sq. km mid-oceanic ridge system located in the northwest Indian Ocean, specifically the Arabian Sea.
  • It forms a divergent plate boundary between the Indian Plate (east) and the Arabian Plate (west).
  • It extends from near Rodrigues Island in the central Indian Ocean to the Owen Fracture Zone in the north.
  • Geologically, it is a continuation of the Mid-Indian Oceanic Ridge system, linking with the Central Indian Ridge (CIR) further south.
• Geological Features:
  • Spreading Center: A classic constructive margin where new oceanic crust is generated by magma upwelling.
  • Associated Features:
    • Seafloor volcanism (basaltic crust).
    • Hydrothermal vents.
    • Seismic activity (shallow-focus earthquakes).