Exploring the Enigmatic 90 East Ridge: A Geological Odyssey The Intriguing Formation of the 90 East Ridge Nestled deep within the Indian Ocean lies a remarkable geological feature known as the 90 East Ridge. Stretching for an impressive 5,000 kilometers, this underwater ridge is a testament to the dynamic forces that have shaped our planet over millions of years. Unlike the well-known mid-oceanic ridges, the 90 East Ridge is not a product of divergent plate boundaries, but rather a manifestation of intraplate volcanism. The formation of the 90 East Ridge can be traced back to a hot spot in the Earth's mantle, located beneath the Indo-Australian plate. As this plate moves northward, the hot spot continues to erupt, creating a chain of underwater volcanoes that have coalesced into the impressive ridge structure we see today. The age of the rock along the ridge increases from south to north, with the southernmost portion being approximately 43.2 million years old and the norther...