Sunday, March 27, 2011

The Mariana Trench


The Mariana Trench - Oceanography

What is a Trench?
At least 22 trenches have been identified although not all are classified as major. Ocean Trenches
Of this number, 18 are in the Pacific Ocean, three in the Atlantic Ocean, and one in the Indian Ocean.
Where, and What is the Mariana Trench?
The Mariana Trench is located in the Pacific Ocean, just east of the 14 Mariana Islands (11"21' North latitude and 142" 12' East longitude ) near Japan.   As you probably already know, it is the deepest part of the earth's oceans, and the deepest location of the earth itself.  It was created by ocean-to-ocean subduction, a phenomena in which a plate topped by oceanic crust is subducted beneath another plate topped by oceanic crust.

But just how deep is the Mariana Trench?

First off, here are the average depths of the earth's oceans; the Arctic Ocean is 1,038 meters (3,407 feet) deep, the Indian Ocean is 3,872 meters (12,740 feet) deep, the Atlantic Ocean is 3,872 meters (12,254 feet) deep and the Pacific Ocean is 4,188 meters (13,740 feet) deep.

The deepest point in each of the earth's oceans are as follows; the Arctic Ocean's Eurasian Basin at 5,450 meters (17,881 feet) deep, the Indian Ocean's Java Trench at 7,725 meters (25,344 feet) deep, the Atlantic Ocean's Puerto Rico Trench at 8,648 meters (28,374 feet) deep and the Pacific Ocean's Mariana Trench at 11,033 meters (36,201 feet) deep.
The deepest point of the Mariana Trench is called The Challenger Deep , so named after the British exploration vessel HMS Challenger IIand it is located 210 miles south-west of Guam. This depth was reached in 1960 by the Trieste, a manned submersible owned by the U.S. Navy.

In order to better illustrate the actual depth of the Mariana Trench, consider the following; if Mount Everest, which is the tallest point on earth at 8,850 meters (29,035 feet), were set in the Mariana Trench, there would still be 2,183 meters (7,166 feet) of water left above it.
The Mariana Trench is often used as a North-South passage by submarines as it is part of a long system of trenches that circle the Pacific Ocean, connected with the Japan and Kuril Trenches.

Interesting Facts About Antarctica


1/ If Antarctica's ice sheets melted, the worlds oceans would rise by 60 to 65 metres (200 - 210ft)  - everywhere.
2/ Antarctica is pushed into the earth by the weight of its ice sheets. If they melted, it would "spring back" about 500m (1 625 ft). It would do this v...e...r...y   s...l...o...w...l...y taking about 10000 years to do so.
Scotland and Scandinavia are still rebounding today after the last ice age - at the rate of half a meter a century in the Northern Baltic - the fastest place.
3/ Antarctica is the best place in the world to find meteorites. Dark meteorites show up against the white expanse of ice and snow and don't get covered by vegetation. In some places, the way the ice flows concentrates meteorites there. The ice makes them gather in one place.
4/ The cold and dry conditions in the "Dry Valleys" region of Antarctica are so close to those on Mars that NASA did testing there for the Viking mission. It has not rained in the dry valleys for at least 2 million years.
5/ One of the biggest icebergs ever (possibly the biggest iceberg ever) broke free from the Ross ice shelf in Antarctica in 2000.It was 295km (183 miles) long and 37km (23 miles) wide, with a surface area of 11,000 sq km (4,250 square miles) above water - and 10 times bigger below.  It's similar in size to The Gambia, Qatar, The Bahamas, or Connecticut.
6/ It has been estimated that during the feeding season in Antarctica, a full grown blue whale eats about 4 million krill per day (krill are small shrimp-like creatures), that's 3600 kg or 4 tons - every day for 6 months. Having laid down a layer of fat from this feeding activity in Antarctica, they then starve for several months.This daily intake would feed a human for about 4 years! If you could stomach it. Krill may be nutritious but they're not very nice as people food - which is lucky for the whales!
7/ Since the Antarctic convergence arose about 20 million years ago, there has been very little exchange of fish or other marine life in either direction. This means that fish have lived in their side of the ocean and have not crossed over to their neighbours side.
Antarctic fish have lived at between +2°C and -2°C for 5 million years (-2°C is the freezing point of sea water, below zero because of the salt). They are therefore the best cold adapted animals that there are on the planet - now or ever.
8/ A domestic deep freeze runs at about -20°C. The mean summer temperature on the great East Antarctica icecap is -30°C and mean winter temperature around -60°C.  That's a lot colder than your freezer!The lowest ever temperature recorded was at the Russian Vostok station. It was - 89.6°C
9/ When the Antarctic sea-ice begins to expand at the beginning of winter, it advances by around 40,000 square miles (100,000 square kilometres) per day, and eventually doubles the size of Antarctica, adding up to an extra 20 million square kilometres of ice around the land mass.That's one and a half USA's, two Australia's or 50 UK's worth of ice area that forms, then breaks up and melts each year.
10/ Snow falling at the South Pole takes about 100 000 years to "flow" to the coast of Antarctica before it drops off the end as part of an iceberg.
11/ The Antarctic ice cap has 29 million cubic kilometres of ice. This is 90% of all the ice on the planet and between 60 and 70 % of all of the world's fresh water.Only about 0.4 percent of Antarctica is not covered by ice.
12/ Antarctica has a peculiar group of fish called the ice fish. These have no red pigment - haemoglobin - in their blood to carry oxygen around. They get by perfectly well without it because the temperature is so low and oxygen dissolves better in cold temperatures. They just have a larger volume of clear blood instead and this gives them an unusually ghostly white colour, particularly their gills.Recent research on the ice fish ahs shown that their DNA has been damaged by high levels of ultra violet light coming from the ozone hole. They have less pigment to stop the UV getting through.
Many other Antarctic sea creatures including fish have antifreeze in their blood so they don't accidentally get frozen solid!
13/ The largest land animal in Antarctica is an insect, a wingless midge, Belgica antarctica, less than 1.3cm (0.5in) long. There are no flying insects (they'd get blown away), just shiny black springtails that hop like fleas and tend to live among penguin colonies.
14/  Samples of ice known as ice cores are regularly drilled through the ice in Antarctica by scientists. They are removed as a long cylinder of ice that gives an indication of the past going back tens of thousands of years. The properties of the ice, of dust trapped in the ice, and even of air bubbles trapped in the ice give valuable information about the earth's climate at various times in the past.
A glaciologist could easily give you a drink of water that was frozen during the life of Christ.
15/ In 1981 a swarm of krill was tracked by US scientists that was estimated at being up to 10 million tonnes of krill! This is the equivalent of about 143 million people (at an average of 70kg each) or more than the entire populations of the UK and Germany combined ( and wandering around in a group!)
16/ Antarctica is the only continent with no indigenous species of ants.

What is a Share ?


In finance a share is a unit of account for various financial instruments including stocks, mutual funds, limited partnerships, and REIT's. In British English, the usage of the word share alone to refer solely to stocks is so common that it almost replaces the word stock itself.
In simple Words, a share or stock is a document issued by a company, which entitles its holder to be one of the owners of the company. A share is issued by a company or can be purchased from the stock market.
By owning a share you can earn a portion and selling shares you get capital gain. So, your return is the dividend plus the capital gain. However, you also run a risk of making a capital loss if you have sold the share at a price below your buying price.
company's stock price reflects what investors think about the stock, not necessarily what the company is "worth." For example, companies that are growing quickly often trade at a higher price than the company might currently be "worth." Stock prices are also affected by all forms of company and market news. Publicly traded companies are required to report quarterly on their financial status and earnings. Market forces and general investor opinions can also affect share price.
Quick Facts on Stocks and Shares
  • Owning a stock or a share means you are a partial owner of the company, and you get voting rights in certain company issues
  • Over the long run, stocks have historically averaged about 10% annual returns However, stocks offer no
    guarantee of any returns and can lose value, even in the long run
  • Investments in stocks can generate returns through dividends, even if the price
How does one trade in shares ?
Every transaction in the stock exchange is carried out through licensed members called brokers.
To trade in shares, you have to approach a broker However, since most stock exchange brokers deal in very high volumes, they generally do not entertain small investors. These brokers have a network of sub-brokers who provide them with orders.

The general investors should identify a sub-broker for regular trading in shares and palce his order for purchase and sale through the sub-broker. The sub/broker will transmit the order to his broker who will then execute it .


What are active Shares ?

Shares in which there are frequent and day-to-day dealings, as distinguished from partly active shares in which dealings are not so frequent. Most shares of leading companies would be active, particularly those which are sensitive to economic and political events and are, therefore, subject to sudden price movements. Some market analysts would define active shares as those which are bought and sold at least three times a week. Easy to buy or sell. 

The Most Powerful Indians In INDIA


1. SH KAPADIA  ( Age 63 )

WHY

He is number one in the list because as CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA. He represents the Supreme Court's power.At a time when so much of Politics is being determined by judicial pronouncements and even observations - related to headline - grabbing court cases, the number one judge and the court he runs have become the country's most influential arbiter. His and his court's decisions can determine how Govt. and Politics are affected by the 2G scandal, or whether the CVC, PJ Thomas, will go and take a big chunk of UPA credibility with him. The SC will also take significant decisions on the privacy vs public interest debate and perhaps on industrial projects vs environmental laws too. The apex court has never been as hugely crucial in determining policy and politics as in recent times. Therefore, a Chief Justice of INDIA has never been as popular as he is now.

click on read more for further info about top 10 most powerful Indians


POWER PUNCH
He took less than a minute to decide, after hearing lengthy arguments, that the Allahabad High Court's verdict on the Ayodhya Title suit must be pronounced; threats of violence could not be an excuse.

WHAT NEXT
Court business wise, his word on the CVC will be the first of many Judicial calls this year.
Administration wise, he is keen to provide decent infrastructure to the lowest courts.

BY THE WAY : He once refused an invitation to open a judicial conference abroad because the event fell on a working day.

2. SONIA GANDHI  ( Age 64 )


WHY
She goes up one place in the list despite the Congress led Govt.'s many troubles because with the PM looking less than effective, the Party Leader's job has become even more crucial, not the least in terms of keeping critics of the PM at bay.She prevailed upon DMK to remove A Raja. The National Advisory council (NAC), under her leadership, remains an important pressure group.

POWER PUNCH
She took tough calls on sacking Congress notables embroiled in controversies, Shashi Tharoor and Ashok Chavan being the Prime examples, and challenged the BJP to take similar action against its leaders accused of corruption.

WHAT NEXT
Nothing less than the immediate future of the Congress. Elected, inevitably, as Congress President again, and the term extended from three to five years, she will lead the party beyond the 2014 elections.

BY THE WAY :: She often uses SMS to keep in touch with the senior party leaders and ministers.

3. MANMOHAN SINGH  ( Age 78 )


WHY

The PM drops one palce after convincingly winning a second term because the Govt. has looked indecisive and riddled with internal fights. The economy has held up, but most of what he wanted to do continues to be  in the pending tray. The NAC frequently questions the Govt and there appear to be question marks over his authority i9n the Cabinet. He's held his nerve, given the circumstances, but insiders feel the pressure might tell. Still, he remains the Congress's best bet as Govt.'s face to the country and the world.

POWER PUNCH
His foreign policy credentials keep growing-- in a span of three months last year, leaders of all the P-5 countries visited India. That's a first fao an Indian PM.

         WHAT NEXT
Crisis management, definitely, one part of which will be an effective Cabiner reshuffle. Also, economic policy is in drift and needs the attention of the "original economic reformer".

BY THE WAY :: There's  a special bed for him abroad Air India One but he never uses it.Insists on half-an-hour on the treadmill, no matter where he is.

4. SUSHMA SWARAJ (LEADER OF OPPOSITION, LOK SABHA)

5. RAHUL GANDHI (CONGRESS GENERAL SECRETARY )

6. NITISH KUMAR ( BIHAR CHIEF MINISTER)

7. MAMATA BANERJEE (RAILWAYS MINISTER)

8. P CHIDAMBARAM (UNION HOME MINISTER)

9. MUKESH AMBANI (CHAIRMAN & MANAGING DIRECTOR, RELIANCE INDUSTRIES)

10. PRANAB MUKHERJEE (UNION FINANCE MINISTER)

11. D SUBBARAO ( R.B.I GOVERNOR)

12. JAIRAM RAMESH (UNION ENVIRONMENT MINISTER)

13. ARUN JAITLEY (LEADER OF OPPOSITION, RAJYA SABHA)

14. AK ANTONY (DEFENCE MINISTER)

15.MS DHONI ( INDIA CRICKET CAPTAIN )

16.J JAYALALITHA ( AIDMK LEADER)

17. AHMED PATEL ( POLITICAL SECRETARY TO SONIA GANDHI )

18. NARENDRA MODI ( GUJARAT CM )

19. AZIM PREMJI ( WIPRO CHAIRMAN)

20. JAGANMOHAN REDDY ( POLITICIAN )


21. SACHIN TENDULKAR ( CRICKETER)

22.PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN ( MAHARASHTRA CM)

23. KAPIL SIBAL ( UNION HRD AND TELECOM MINISTER)

24. RAMAN SINGH ( CHATTISGARH CM)

25. SYED ALI SHSH GILANI ( HURRIYAT LEADER )

26. RAHUL BHATIA ( CHAIRMAN, INDIGO AIRLINES)

27. NC SAXENA (MEMBER, NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL)

28. K CHANDRASEKHAR RAO (TRS PRESIDENT)


29. DIGVIJAY SINGH (CONGRESS GENERAL SECRETARY )

30.NITIN GADKARI ( BJP PRESIDENT)

31. ANAND SHARMA (UNION COMMERCE & INDUSTRIES MINISTER )

32. AMAR PRATAP SINGH ( CBI DIRECTOR )

33. SHIVSHANKAR  MENON ( NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER)

34. SALMAN KURSHID ( UNION WATER RESOURCES AND MINORITY AFF. MINISTER)

35. SUNIL MITTAL ( CHAIRMAN & GRP. CEO, BHARTI ENTERPRISES)

36.MAYAWATI ( UP CM)

37. L K ADWANI (BJP PARLIAMENTARY PARTY CHAIRMAN )

38. KALANIDHI MARAN ( CHAIRMAN & MANAGING DIRECTOR, SUN NETWORK )

39. RATAN TATA (TATA GRP. OF CHAIRMAN )

40. GANAPATHI (CPI MAOIST GEN. SECRETARY )

41.  DEEPAK PAREKH ( HDFC CHAIRMAN )

42. MOHAN BHAGWAT ( RSS SARSANGHCHALAK )

43. NANDAN NILEKANI ( CHAIRMAN,UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION AUTHORITY OF INDIA)

44. GOOLAM E VAHANVATI (ATTORNEY-GEN. OF INDIA)

45. SY QUARAISHI (CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER )

46. KAUSHIK BASU (CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISER)

47. CHANDA KOCHHAR ( MD & CEO, ICICI BANK )

48. FALI S ANRIMAN ( LEGAL EXPERT )

49. GM RAO (CHAQIRMAN GMR GROUP)

50. SHARAD PAWAR ( UNION AGRI. MINISTER )

51. ANIL AMBANI ( CHAIRMAN, ANIL DHIRUBHAI AMBANI GRP.)

52. VEERAPPA MOILY ( UNION LAW MINISTER )

53. NAVEEN PATNAIK (ORISSA CM )

54. KAMAL NATH ( UNION URBAN DEV. MINISTER )

55 .HR BHARADWAJ ( GOVERNOR OF KARNATAKA )

56. SAMIR JAIN (VICE-CHAIRMAN, BENNETT COLEMAN & CO.)

      VINEET JAIN ( MD, BENNETT COLEMAN & CO.)

57. E SREEDHARAN ( CHIEF, DELHI METRO)

58. ESL NARASIMHAN ( GOVERNOR OF A.P )

59.BRIJMOHAN LALL MUNJAL (HERO HONDA CHAIRMAN)

60. MK STALIN (DY. CM TAMIL NADU )

61. PRASHANT BHUSHAN ( SENIOR LAWYER)

62. SUSHIL KUMAR MODI ( DY. CM BIHAR)

63. AMIT MITRA ( FICCI SEC.-GEN.)

64. SUBIR GOKARN ( DY. GOV. OF RBI )

65.ANAND MAHINDRA (MAHINDRA&MAHINDRA VICE-CHAIRMAN & MNG. DIR. )

66. KV KAMATH (ICICI BANK CHAIRMAN)

67.RAJ THACKERAY ( MNS PRESIDENT)

68. AAMIR KHAN (ACTOR, PRODUCER)

69. GHULAM NABHI AZAD (HEALTH MINISTER)

70. GEN. VK SINGH (CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF)

71.MK NARAYAN (GOV. OF BENGAL )

72. VINOD RAI ( COMPTROLLER & AUDITOR GEN. OF INDIA)

73. N RAM ( EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, THE HINDU)

74. KUMAR MANGALAM BIRLA (ADITYA BIRLA GRP.)

75.LAKSHMI NIWAS MITTAL ( CHAIRMAN & CEO ,ARCELOR MITTAL )

76. SHEILA DIKSHIT ( CM DELHI )

77.SHOBHANA BHARTIA ( CHAIR-PRSN. & EDIT. DIR. OF HT MEDIA )

78. SALMAN KHAN (ACTOR)

79.AVEEK SARKAR (DIR. & CHIEF EDITOR )

80.SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN (MP CM)

81. KARAN JOHAR ( DIRECTOR,PRODUCER)

82. SANJAY GUPTA (CEO JAGRAN PRAKASHAN)

      MM GUPTA ( CHAIRMAN & MD, JAGRAN PRAKASHAN )

83. UDAY KOTAK ( VICE-CHAIRMAN & MD, KOTAK MAHINDRA GRP.)

84. VENU SRINIVASAN
   
      MALLIKA SRINIVASAN ( TVS MOTOR CO. CHAIRMAN & MD,  TAFE DIRECTOR )

85. UDAY SHANKAR ( CEO, STAR INDIA )

86. ARUN SHOURIE ( BJP LEADER)

87. OMAR ABDULLAH (JAMMU & KASHMIR CM)

88. SHASHANK MANOHAR ( BCCI PRESIDENT )

89. JAWAHAR SIRCAR ( SECRETARY, MIN. OF CULTURE)

90. ARNAB GOSWAMI ( TIMES NOW ,EDITOR-IN-CHIEF)

91. DEVI PRASAD SHETTY (CARDIAC SURGEON&CHAIRMAN, NARAYANA HRUDALAYA                                                                                                                                                                                 HOSPITALS)

92.RAGHAV BAHL (FOUNDER & MANAGING DIR. ,NETWORK 18 )

93.SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR ( ART OF LIVING , FOUNDER)

94. UK SINHA ( CHAIRMAN & MNGGNG. DIR.,UTI-AMC)

95.KAREENA KAPOOR ( ACTRESS)

96. RAJIV BAJAJ ( MD, BAJAJ  AUTO )

97.  JAGGI VASUDEV ( GURU, ISHA FOUNDATION)

98. K  CHANDRASEKHAR ( CABINET SECRETARY )

99. KATRINA KAIF ( ACTRESS)

100.BELLARY BROTHERS

G JANARDHAN REDDY, G KARUNAKARA REDDY, G SOMASHEKHAR REDDY

An Interactive Video of Animal Cell