Ln 2 - OCEANS AND CONTINENTS
I. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING:
Q1. In what ways do humans pollute the seas or oceans?
Ans. Human activity has led to the pollution of oceans.
1. Dumping several million tons of plastic waste which leads to choking of marine life. Fish,
seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals not only get entangled in plastic, but plastic debris
causes suffocation and starvation of marine life.
2. Excessive fishing for commercial purpose i.e. overfishing has led to decline in marine life.
3. As greenhouse gases trap more energy from the sun, the oceans are absorbing more
heat, resulting in an increase in sea surface temperatures and rising sea level.
Q2. Are all the oceans inter-connected with one another, or are there separations
between them?
Ans. Although we have listed five oceans, it is clear from the map that they are not really
separate. The lines that divide them on the map are no more than conventions — the
natural world does not follow such boundaries.
Q3. What is Tsunami? How are they caused?
Ans.
A Tsunami is a natural disaster that originates in the ocean.
It is a huge and powerful wave generally caused by a strong earthquake or a
volcanic eruption at the bottom of the ocean.
Tsunami can travel thousands of kilometers and submerge coastal areas, causing
widespread damage.
Q4. How are oceans useful to us?
1. Oxygen is produced by the oceans’ flora.
2. To migrate other regions.
3. Carrying out trade by sea routes works out very economical.
4. To conduct military campaigns.
5. Oceans used as a source of food through fishing.
6. Oceans help regulate the Earth's climate by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide from
human activities.
7. Oceans plays a key role in the water cycle.
8. They provide ingredients for medicinal uses.
9. Oceans are one of the planet's most abundant sources of renewable energy.
10. Oceans are a store house to several minerals which are useful to mankind.
Q5. What is the Indian Navy’s motto?
Ans. Sam noh Varunah , which means be auspicious to us, Oh Varunah.
Q6. What is the purpose of World’s Ocean Day according to United Nations?
Ans. Oceans play a major role in every day’s life, serving as the lungs of our planet, a major
source of food and medicine and a critical part of the biosphere.
Q7. Explain the role of oceans in the Earth’s water cycle and climate regulation.
I. Oceans play a major role in the Earth’s water cycle by contributing to rainfall through
evaporation and precipitation.
II. They also regulate the climate by absorbing and distributing heat, producing oxygen
and supporting diverse marine life.
Q8. In what ways do oceans and continents impact life on Earth, including human
life?
Ans. Ocean’s Impact:
Climate control: Oceans help keep the Earth’s climate stable by moving heat around
the planet with ocean currents. This helps to keep the temperatures even and affects
the weather.
Oxygen Production: Oceans produce more than half of the world’s oxygen through
tiny ocean plants called phytoplanktons.
Water cycle: Oceans are a big part of the water cycle, which includes evaporation and
precipitation.
Biodiversity: Oceans are home to many kinds of marine life, which are important for
the planet’s biodiversity.
Economic benefits: Oceans provide resources for fishing, transportation and tourism,
which further helps people with job opportunities.
Natural Disasters: Oceans can cause natural disasters like tsunamis, hurricanes and
cyclones which can be very destructive to coastal areas.
Continents Impact:
Habitats and Biodiversity: Continents offer variety of habitats for different types of life,
including forest, grasslands, deserts and mountains.
Human settlements: continents are where human civilizations have developed, with
land used for farming, building cities and infrastructure.
Natural resources: Continents are rich in minerals, fossil fuels and forests, which are
for industries and energy.
Cultural Development: The geography of the continents has influenced the
development of different cultures, languages and histories.
Climate influence: The landmasses of the continents affect weather patterns by
interacting with atmospheric conditions and influencing wind and rain patterns.
Oceans and continents shape our environment and provide necessary resources and
conditions for life on Earth, including human life. They influence weather, climate,
biodiversity and human activities making them essential to the planet’s sustainability.
Q9. Explain the impact and aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on India.
Ans.
The 2004, Indian ocean Tsunami, caused by an Earthquake in Indonesia on 26 th
December 2004, had a devastating impact on India.
Around 2 lac people lost their lives across the affected regions.
In India, the Andaman and Nicobar islands, along with the coasts of Tamil Nadu and
Kerela, were severely affected, suffering significant damage and loss of life.
The disaster highlighted the need for effective early warning systems and disaster
management.
Consequently, many countries, including India, now collaborate in early warning
systems like the Indian Ocen tsunami Warning System to protect life and property
from future tsunamis.
Q10. Define:
a. Disaster management - It is a process of effectively preparing for and responding to
disasters. It involves a combination of measures taken before, during, and after a
disaster to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from it.
b. Water Crisis – Water crisis refers to a global situation where people in many areas lack
access to sufficient, clean water or both.
c. Bay – A part of the coast where the land goes in to form a curve. Eg – Bay of Bengal.
d. Gulf – A part of an ocean or sea extending into the land. Eg. Gulf of Mexico .
