Question.
Classify ocean deposits on the basis of source and give brief descriptions of terrigenous deposits. (UPPSC 2020)
Answer.
Oceanic deposits are sediments deposited in a layered form on the ocean floor that has economic values as well as provides information about the history of the Earth.
On the basis of source, ocean deposits can be classified into four major categories:
- Terrigenous Deposits
- Biogenous Deposits
- Cosmic Deposits
- Hydrogenous deposit
Terrigenous deposits:
- These include rock sediments that can be brought in by rivers, surface runoff, or winds and are found in continental shelves, margins, and slopes.
Biogenous Deposits:
- It includes the remains of the bones of dead organisms.
Cosmic Deposits:
- The sediments coming from outer space get deposited in the ocean.
Hydrogenous deposit:
- Some substances are dissolved in water and later get deposited on the bottom of the sea.
Terrigenous Deposits:
Weathered material from continents and volcanoes dust is carried by geomorphic agents (winds, water) and accumulates on the ocean floor, mainly on the continental shelf and slopes. Fine material such as clay moves into the deep sea and large-particle deposits get deposited near the seashore.
On the basis of particle size, terrestrial deposits can be further classified into three parts:
- Gravel (largest size deposit)
- Sand
- clay (fine particles)
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