One of the seas that are part of the Mediterranean Sea is the Tyrrhenian Sea. This sea is located along the western coast of Italy and is considered to be part of the Mediterranean Sea. It has an area of approximately 106.000 square miles. It is a sea that lies between the boundary of the figure tectonic plates and Eurasia and Africa.
In this article we are going to explain the characteristics and importance of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Dimensions of the Tyrrhenian Sea
Since it is part of a larger sea, the limitation of this sea's surface area is not so easy. It borders Italy to the east with the regions that are Campania, Calabria, Tuscany, Basilicata and Lazio. It is also bordered to the west by the Corsica Islands, which was a French territory. The Ligurian Sea meets the Tyrrhenian Sea along the northwest corner. It is the southwestern edge that meets the Mediterranean Sea.
The extreme location indicates that it has both several inputs and several outputs. One of these outlets is the one that empties into the Ligurian Sea. The other two lead to the Mediterranean Sea and the other to the Ionian Sea.
Historical and current importance
This sea has played a fundamental role in culture and society throughout history. Especially in terms of international trade, the Tyrrhenian Sea has been quite important.. This is due to the strategic location in which it is locatedThanks to this position, commercial ships could connect from several eastern continents. Although for a long time this sea experienced great trade and a flow of sailors and merchant ships, the amount of trade conducted in these waters was reduced due to their control by pirates.
During Napoleon's period it played a great role as it was used to launch warships.
Today, its importance continues to play a role in trade and transportation, providing a useful route for both. The Tyrrhenian Sea receives a large number of trading vessels daily. It has also become a popular tourist destination, boasting several islands within its borders and several cities along its coasts. Some of the most popular attractions in the Tyrrhenian Sea are located in Sicily, the Aeolian Islands, Palermo, and Naples. The tourist centers of this city receive thousands of visits every year. To this is also added the commerce and tourism industry.
The Tyrrhenian Sea is also of great importance for fishing activity. Fishing, along with other activities, are the contributors to a large part of the surrounding economy. In addition, you can learn more about the volcanoes in Italy which are also relevant in the geographical context of this area.
Underwater geography of the Tyrrhenian Sea
The underwater geography of this sea is divided into two basins. On the one hand we have the Marsili plain and on the other the Vavilov plain. These two basins are located on either side of a large bridge called the Issel. This sea has a maximum depth of about 12418 feet. Situated on the boundary of two tectonic plates, this area is largely affected by volcanic activity. Because several mountains and volcanoes are underwater and active, this area gains even greater tourist appeal.
This entire area is also home to several islands, including the Aeolian Archipelago, Ustica, and the Tuscan Archipelago. The first islands are located in northern Sicily. The largest island in the Tuscan region is Elba.
Biodiversity and threatened species
Numerous plant and animal species coexist in this sea. These species are what enable the fishing industry to thrive. For example, there are large populations of sea bass, bluefin tuna, swordfish, and grouper. The entire northern part of the sea is protected as a habitat for Mediterranean marine mammal species. There is a marine reserve that extends to the Ligurian Sea. This reserve is responsible for protecting various species, including long-finned pilot whales, sperm whales, bottlenose dolphins, and fin whales.
As we mentioned before, the Tyrrhenian Sea is of great importance for trade routes within the territory. Serving as a route, several port cities have been established along its entire border. Some of the cities where the most important ports are located are Salerno, Palermo, Bastia and Naples.
Among the threats that we can find typical of marine ecosystems we have overfishing. This is one of the most significant environmental threats to almost all marine ecosystems in the world. This sea is no exception. As the fishing industry grows due to rising consumer demand, fishermen inevitably increase the catch rate of large quantities of fish each year. This overfishing is unsustainable in the long term, as the ecosystem's resilience has been diminished. As a result, populations have steadily declined.
In turn, the overfishing invention of the populations of these individuals they impact the food chain and reduce the food available to larger predators. Another of the main threats to life in the waters and coasts of this sea comes from Mount Marsili. This mount is an underwater volcano located in the depths of this sea. Scientists have revealed some quite interesting findings that show us that the volcano's walls could collapse, triggering a tsunami. If a natural phenomenon of this magnitude were to occur in these coastal areas, it could wreak havoc on the entire population.
Between intentional overfishing and bycatch There are many dolphins that die, whales and turtles that are classified as endangered.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the Tyrrhenian Sea.
