On the diplomatic front, the experience of coastal countries and regional authorities is leading to exchangeof what? Tsunamis, usually triggered by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and submarine landslides, have caused a number of documented disasters in the Mediterranean Basin in the past 2500 years. In the same region the Phlegraean Fields west of Naples constitute one of the most significant volcanic systems in the world, still very active. The Mediterranean region is one of the most geologically active maritime area of the globe, sitting on a complex tectonic boundary zone between the European and African plates. The diversity rangeclarification needed was enhanced by the widespread exchange and interaction of the longstanding and highly diverse local agriculture, intense transport and trade relations, and the interaction with settlements, pasture and other land use.
- Seas are defined as large water bodies that are partially enclosed by the surrounding landmasses.
- The Levant in the Eastern Mediterranean was among the first regions in the world to display permanent human habitation as early as 12,000 BC.
- The Mediterranean is the world’s most important wine-growing region.
- Another example of a transient event affecting the Mediterranean circulation is the periodic inversion of the North Ionian Gyre, which is an anticyclonic ocean gyre observed in the northern part of the Ionian Sea, off the Greek coast.
- Genoa, Venice and Pisa created colonies in regions controlled by the Crusaders and came to control the trade with the Orient.
- Underwater landslides are among the natural hazards found on the Malta Escarpment.
The sea provided routes for trade, colonisation, and war, as well as food (from fishing and the gathering of other seafood) for numerous communities throughout the ages. Its southern and eastern coastlines are lined with hot deserts not far inland, but the immediate coastline on all sides of the Mediterranean tends to have strong maritime moderation. The water temperatures are mild in winter and warm in summer and give name to the Mediterranean climate type due to the majority of precipitation falling in the cooler months. Its west–east length, from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Gulf of Alexandretta, on the southeastern coast of Turkey, is about 4,000 kilometres (2,500 mi).
The Mediterranean Sea faces several environmental challenges, including pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change. The region is also rich in natural resources such as oil and gas, which contribute to its economic significance. Climate change will undoubtedly continue to impact marine ecosystems; however, proactive measures can mitigate some effects if implemented promptly.
The basins of the Ebro, Po, and Maritsa, are respectively south of the Pyrenees, Alps, and Balkan Mountains, which are the major ranges bordering Southern Europe. The basin of the Rhône is the largest and extends up as far north as the Jura Mountains, encompassing areas even on the north side of the Alps. The basin of the Nile constitutes about two-thirds of the Mediterranean drainage basin and encompasses areas as high as the Ruwenzori Mountains. An Azerbaijani official described the sea as "a burial ground … where people die".
Environmental Problems in the Mediterranean Region
Primary productivity in the Mediterranean is also marked by an intense seasonal variability. Extreme warming can lead to biodiversity loss and presents an existential threat to some habitats while making conditions more hospitable to invasive tropical species. Another example of a transient event affecting the Mediterranean circulation is the periodic inversion of the North Ionian Gyre, which is an anticyclonic ocean gyre observed in the northern part of the Ionian Sea, off the Greek coast. Deep water formation in the Mediterranean is triggered by strong winter convection fuelled by intense cold winds like the Bora. Underwater landslides are among the natural hazards found on the Malta Escarpment.
"Mediterranean Sea" also found in:
In many cases this reflects an expansion – favoured by a warming trend of sub-tropical Atlantic waters, and also by a fast-growing maritime traffic – of the natural range of species that now enter the Mediterranean through the Strait of Gibraltar. As a result of the drying of the sea during the Messinian salinity crisis, the marine biota of the Mediterranean is derived primarily from the Atlantic Ocean. Coastal areas have submarine karst springs or vruljas, which discharge pressurised groundwater into the water from below the surface; the discharge water is usually fresh, and sometimes may be thermal.
Oceanography
The drainage basin cycling classes jacksonville fl encompasses a large number of other countries, the Nile being the longest river ending in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, Northern Cyprus (de facto state) and two overseas territories of the United Kingdom (Akrotiri and Dhekelia, and Gibraltar) also have coastlines along the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean Sea has an average depth of 1,500 m (4,900 ft) and the deepest recorded point is 5,109 ± 1 m (16,762 ± 3 ft) in the Calypso Deep in the Ionian Sea. The Roman Empire maintained nautical hegemony over the sea for centuries and is the only state to have ever controlled all of its coast. The Mediterranean Sea was an important route for merchants, travellers, and migrants in antiquity, facilitating trade and cultural exchange between various peoples as well as colonisation and conquest.
Water on the surface of the Mediterranean circulates in separate counterclockwise movements in each of the two basins. Evaporation greatly exceeds precipitation and river runoff in the Mediterranean, affecting the water circulation within the basin. It is bounded on the north by Europe, on the south by Africa, and on the east by Asia; and it joins with the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar only eight miles (13 kilometers) wide and 1,050 feet (320 meters) deep. The sea and the regions surrounding it are also very economically viable through fishing and agriculture. Numerous commercial marine fishes such as bluefin tuna, grouper, sea bass, sardines, anchovy, and hake are also found here. Several studies have indicated that the Mediterranean Sea waters are more saline compared to the waters of the Atlantic.
Major ports such as Barcelona, Marseille, and Genoa serve as critical nodes in international trade networks. The cumulative effects of these activities threaten not only marine biodiversity but also the health of coastal communities reliant on these ecosystems. Industrial waste, agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilisers, and untreated sewage discharge contribute to deteriorating water quality. Overfishing has led to significant declines in fish populations, disrupting marine food webs and threatening the livelihoods of local fishing communities.
The Mediterranean Sea is what is left of this large ancient ocean. When Africa and Europe started moving towards each other this ocean became smaller. When the ancient landmass of Pangaea broke apart about 250 million years ago a huge ocean, the Tethys, evolved around its middle. The Mediterranean region is often called the cradle of civilization because many early cultures and civilizations developed along its shores. The Mediterranean Sea is a body of water that is almost completely surrounded by land. Upon landing, Pathfinder deployed airbags to cushion its descent, which deflated after touchdown, allowing the rover to roll onto the Martian surface—a first in space exploration.
The European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) was set up to respond to major natural disasters and express European solidarity to disaster-stricken regions within all of Europe. The Greek–Turkish earthquake diplomacy is a quite positive example of natural hazards leading to improved relations between traditional rivals in the region after earthquakes in İzmit and Athens in 1999. at the international level with the cooperation of NGOs, states, regional and municipal authorities.