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The World Factbook

Indian Ocean

Photos of Indian Ocean

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Mac Murdo and Howe Islands are two of the 300 islands of the remote Kerguelen Archipelago, located in the southern Indian Ocean. The coastlines of many of these islands are occupied by giant kelp beds. The surface wave pattern that travels southeastward along the gray-blue ocean surface and through the kelp beds is visible due to sunglint, the mirror-like reflection of sunlight off the water. The sunglint also improves the identification of the kelp beds by creating a different water texture between the dark vegetation and the reflective ocean surface. Image courtesy of NASA.
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Introduction

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Definitions and Notes
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Geography

Major ocean currents

Major World Ocean Currents:
Major World Ocean Currents

Bathymetry

Figure 1. Profile of the sea floor:
Figure 1. Profile of the sea floor
Figure 2. Indian Ocean sea floor:
Figure 2. Indian Ocean sea floor

Elevation

Distance Sunlight Travels in the Ocean:
Distance Sunlight Travels in the Ocean

Environment

Government

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