When was Indian Ocean discovered?
First discovered in 1962, it runs northward along the 90° E meridian (hence its name) for 2,800 miles (4,500 km) from the zonal Broken Ridge at latitudes 31° S to 9° N and can be traced farther under the sediments of the Bay of Bengal.
Who discovered Indian Ocean?
Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama becomes the first European to reach India via the Atlantic Ocean when he arrives at Calicut on the Malabar Coast. Da Gama sailed from Lisbon, Portugal, in July 1497, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and anchored at Malindi on the east coast of Africa.
What was the purpose of his Indian ocean exploration?
Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia Explorations. The aim of Portugal in the Indian Ocean was to ensure the monopoly of the spice trade. Taking advantage of the rivalries that pitted Hindus against Muslims, the Portuguese established several forts and trading posts between 1500 and 1510.
How was the Indian Ocean formed?
Ocean basins are created by motions of the tectonic plates over 10s and 100s of millions of years. The eastern Indian Ocean formed as India and Australia separated around 100 million years ago, as part of the breakup of the southern supercontinent Gondwana.
Which animal is only found in Indian Ocean?
Indian Ocean animals
- Blue Whale – Balaenoptera musculus.
- Dolphin – Delphinidae.
- Great White Shark – Carcharodon carcharias.
- Green Sea Turtle – Chelonia mydas.
- Hawksbill Sea Turtle – Eretmochelys imbricata.
- Humpback Whale – Megaptera novaeangliae.
- Leatherback Sea Turtle – Dermochelys coriacea.
- Orca/Killer Whale – Orcinus orca.
What animal live in the Indian Ocean?
The Indian Ocean is home to several unique species of marine life, including sea turtles, sharks, sea snakes, dugongs, and whales. Although the ocean itself has less marine life than other oceans because of its low plankton levels, you will find a rich array of marine life in specific areas and islands.