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Islands as Systems
Volcanic Arcs · Coral Atolls · Marine Ecology
MICRO-REALM 01
A&N Tectonic Origin
- SUBDUCTION OF INDIAN PLATE UNDER BURMA PLATE
- EXTENSION OF ARAKAN YOMA (MYANMAR) RANGE
- EMERGENT PEAKS OF A SUBMARINE MOUNTAIN CHAIN
- HIGHLY ACTIVE SEISMIC ZONE (ZONE V)
MICRO-REALM 02
Lakshadweep Origin
- CORAL DEPOSITS ON SUBMERGED VOLCANIC PEAKS
- PART OF THE CHAGOS-LACCADIVE RIDGE
- FORMED AS INDIA PASSED OVER REUNION HOTSPOT
- 100% CORAL ORIGIN (NO SILICATE ROCK)
MICRO-REALM 03
A&N Topography
- RUGGED, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN
- DEEP VALLEYS AND STEEP SLOPES
- SADDLE PEAK (732M) IN NORTH ANDAMAN IS HIGHEST
- COASTLINE HIGHLY INDENTED (GOOD HARBORS)
MICRO-REALM 04
Lakshadweep Topography
- FLAT, LOW-LYING CORAL ATOLLS
- MAXIMUM ELEVATION RARELY EXCEEDS 5 METERS
- SHALLOW CYAN LAGOONS ENCLOSED BY REEFS
- EXTREMELY VULNERABLE TO SEA-LEVEL RISE
MICRO-REALM 05
Island Volcanism
- BARREN ISLAND: INDIA'S ONLY ACTIVE VOLCANO
- NARCONDAM ISLAND: DORMANT VOLCANO
- LOCATED EAST OF THE MAIN ANDAMAN TRENCH
- STRATOVOLCANOES BUILT FROM SUCCESSIVE ERUPTIONS
MICRO-REALM 06
Coral Ecosystems
- A&N: FRINGING REEFS (ATTACHED TO SHORE)
- LAKSHADWEEP: ATOLLS (CIRCULAR REEFS OVER LAGOONS)
- REQUIRE WARM, CLEAR, SHALLOW, SALINE WATER
- THREATENED BY CORAL BLEACHING (EL NIÑO)
MICRO-REALM 07
Marine Biodiversity
- MEGA-BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS
- DUGONGS (SEA COWS) IN A&N SEAGRASS BEDS
- NESTING SITES FOR OLIVE RIDLEY & LEATHERBACK TURTLES
- RICH PELAGIC FISHERIES ZONES
MICRO-REALM 08
Terrestrial Flora
- A&N: DENSE TROPICAL EVERGREEN FORESTS (CANOPY)
- ENDEMIC SPECIES LIKE ANDAMAN PADAUK
- LAKSHADWEEP: DOMINATED BY COCONUT PALMS
- NO NATURAL FORESTS IN LAKSHADWEEP (CORAL SOIL)
MICRO-REALM 09
Coastal Processes
- CONSTANT WAVE EROSION & DEPOSITION
- FORMATION OF SANDBARS, SPITS, AND BEACHES
- MANGROVES IN CREEKS ACT AS SHIELDS
- CORAL SAND CONTINUOUSLY REPLENISHES LAKSHADWEEP
MICRO-REALM 10
Tsunami & Earthquakes
- A&N SITS DIRECTLY OVER A MEGATHRUST FAULT
- 2004 SUMATRA-ANDAMAN EARTHQUAKE (M9.1)
- GENERATED DEVASTATING TSUNAMI WAVES
- INDIRA POINT WAS PARTIALLY SUBMERGED
MICRO-REALM 11
Equatorial/Tropical Climate
- HOT AND WET YEAR-ROUND (LOW DIURNAL RANGE)
- A&N GETS BOTH SW & NE MONSOON RAINS
- LAKSHADWEEP GETS HEAVY SW MONSOON RAIN
- HIGH HUMIDITY DRIVES LUSH VEGETATION IN A&N
MICRO-REALM 12
Strategic Importance
- MASSIVE EXTENSION OF INDIA'S EEZ
- A&N CONTROLS ENTRANCE TO STRAIT OF MALACCA
- LAKSHADWEEP SITS ON MAJOR INDIAN OCEAN SEA LANES
- INDIA'S ONLY TRI-SERVICES COMMAND AT PORT BLAIR