Sea of Marmara

Sea of Marmara Latest News

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake whose epicenter was in the Sea of Marmara hit Istanbul recently.

About Sea of Marmara

• It is a small inland sea that is completely bordered by the transcontinental nation of Turkey.
• It covers an area of 11,350 sq.km. 
• It is about 280 km long and has a maximum width of 80 km at its widest point.
• It separates the Asian and European parts of Turkey.
• In the northeast, it is connected to the Black Sea via the Bosphorus Strait, whereas in the southwest, it is linked with the Aegean Sea via the Dardanelles Strait.
• It serves as a transitional zone between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. 
• Salinity: 
  • Cold, fresh Black Sea water entering through the Bosporus meets warm and salty water of Mediterranean Sea origin flowing in through the Dardanelles Strait. 
  • This creates the situation where fresher water is located near the surface and much saltier water near the bottom.
• Climate: The sea has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and coldand wet winters.
• Earthquakes: The North Anatolian Fault, which runs beneath the sea, has caused several massive earthquakes in the region.
• Major Islands:
  • Marmara Island, Prince Islands, Avşa, Imrali, Ekinlik, and Paşalimani Islands.
  • Marmara Island is Turkey’s second-largest island as well as the largest island in the Marmara Sea. It is also a rich source of marble. 
• Some of the important coastal towns and cities that are located along the Sea of Marmara include Istanbul, Izmit, Balikesir, Yalova, Tekirdag, Bursa, and Çanakkale.

Sea of Marmara FAQs

Q1. What connects Black Sea to Sea of Marmara?

Ans. The Bosporus Strait connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.

Q2. Which country is the Sea of Marmara in?

Ans. The Sea of Marmara is entirely within the country of Turkey. 

Q3. Which major fault line lies beneath the Sea of Marmara?

Ans. North Anatolian Fault

Source: ET