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Which ocean basins lie beneath the Indian Ocean?
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Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean, with depth contours and undersea features.
The Indian Ocean is characterized by complex ridge topography that has led to the formation of numerous ocean basins. These basins are generally defined by smooth, flat plains of thick sediment and abyssal hills located at the flanks of oceanic ridges.1
The basins within the Indian Ocean are categorized by their geographic location:
- Western Basins: These include the Arabian, Somali, Mascarene, Madagascar, Mozambique, Agulhas, and Crozet basins.1
- Eastern Basins: These include the Central Indian (which is the largest), Wharton, and South Australia basins.1