Science and Technology › IPR and science policy

Ocean, polar and earth science missions

Deep sea exploration, seabed minerals and who may mine them, ocean observation, India's Arctic and Antarctic research, and seismology. Prelims has asked about India's Deep Ocean Mission and who licenses exploration of the international seabed.

Foundation notes: UNCLOS: the zones from the coast to the Area · Deep sea minerals

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion: Making power from the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep water.

Seamount: An underwater mountain rising from the seafloor without reaching the surface.

Hydrothermal vent: An opening on a mid-ocean ridge that releases mineral rich hot water, around which metal sulphides settle and dense communities of life gather.

Polymetallic nodules: Potato sized lumps lying on the deep seabed, rich in manganese, nickel, cobalt and copper.

Exploration contract: An ISA contract giving exclusive rights to survey and test mine a seabed area, but not to mine it commercially.

The Area: The seabed beyond national jurisdiction, whose mineral resources UNCLOS declares the common heritage of mankind.

Seismic doublet: Two earthquakes of roughly the same magnitude, close in time and place, from distinct ruptures.

Also filed elsewhere

National report on deep-sea fishery resources · on Marine and coastal ecosystems
The national report on deep sea fishery resources is the Ministry of Earth Sciences' account of the fish in India's deep water, below the reach of light.
The UN declaration on sea level rise and statehood · on Cryosphere, oceans and sea level
The United Nations General Assembly's declaration on sea level rise affirms that a State remains a State even if the sea takes its land, and that its maritime boundaries stay where they were fixed.