MERIDIONAL CANAL Meaning and
Definition
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A meridional canal refers to a prominent topographic feature found along the Earth's ocean floor. It is a long, narrow trench-like depression that runs parallel to the Earth’s meridians, stretching from the North Pole to the South Pole. Meridional canals occur primarily in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, but can also be found in other bodies of water.
These canals are formed as a result of tectonic plate movements and the associated subduction processes, where one tectonic plate slides beneath another. The merging of two plates at a convergent boundary creates a trench-like depression known as a meridional canal. These canals are generally deep, reaching depths of several kilometers in some areas, and can extend for hundreds or even thousands of kilometers.
Meridional canals play a significant role in shaping the Earth's oceans and affecting oceanic circulation patterns. They can act as barriers, impeding the flow of water between different ocean basins and influencing the distribution of ocean currents. These canals also serve as conduits for subduction zones, where crustal material and sediment are recycled back into the Earth's mantle.
In conclusion, a meridional canal is a long, narrow trench-like depression that follows the Earth’s meridians, running from the North Pole to the South Pole. It is formed by tectonic plate movements and can have a significant impact on oceanic circulation patterns and subduction processes.
Common Misspellings for MERIDIONAL CANAL
- meridional canad
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Etymology of MERIDIONAL CANAL
The word meridional is derived from the Latin adjective meridionalis, which means of the midday or southern. It originates from the Latin word meridies, meaning midday or south.
The term canal comes from the Latin word canalis, which refers to a tube or a channel.
Therefore, the etymology of the compound word meridional canal originates from Latin roots, combining meridionalis meaning southern and canalis meaning a tube or channel.
