Sea of Marmara

Name

The Sea of Marmara is named after the largest island on its south side, called Marmara Island because it is rich in marble (Greek μάρμᾰρον, mármaron 'marble').

In classical antiquity, it was known as the Propontis, from the Greek pro 'in front of' + pontos 'sea, specifically the Black Sea', since the Ancient Greeks sailed through it to reach the Black Sea.

Mythology

In Greek mythology, a storm on the Propontis brought the Argonauts back to an island they had left, precipitating a battle in which either Jason or Heracles killed King Cyzicus, who had mistaken them for his Pelasgian enemies.

Geography and hydrology

The International Hydrographic Organization defines the limits of the Sea of Marmara as follows:

On the West. The Dardanelles limit of the Aegean Sea A line joining Kum Kale (26°11'E) and [Cape Helles].

On the Northeast. A line joining Cape Rumili with Cape Anatoli (41°13′N). The sea's south coast is heavily indented and includes the Gulf of İzmit (), the Gulf of Gemlik (), the Gulf of Bandırma (), and the Gulf of Erdek ().

The surface salinity of the Marmara averages about 22 parts per thousand, which is slightly more than that of the Black Sea, but only about two-thirds that of most oceans. The water is much more saline at the bottom of the sea, averaging a salinity of around 38 parts per thousand, similar to that of the Mediterranean Sea. This high-density saline water does not migrate to the surface as is also the case with the Black Sea. Water from the Susurluk, Biga (Granicus), and Gönen Rivers also reduces the salinity of the sea, though with less effect than on the Black Sea. With little land in Thrace draining southward, almost all of these rivers flow from Anatolia.

Islands

There are two main groups of islands in the Sea of Marmara. To the north lie the Princes' Islands, an archipelago made up of the inhabited islands of Kınaliada, Burgazada, Heybeliada, Büyükada and Sedef Adası and several uninhabited islands including Sivriada, Yassıada, Kaşıkadası and Tavşanadası. The inhabited islands are readily accessible by ferry from both the European and Asian shores of İstanbul and the entire archipelago forms part of the conurbation.

To the south lie the Marmara Islands, an archipelago made up of the eponymous Marmara Island and three other inhabited islands – Avşa, Paşalimanı and Ekinlik – as well as of seventeen largely uninhabited islands including the prison island of Imralı whose most famous prisoner, since 1999, has been the PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. These islands lie within Balıkesir province and are most readily accessible from Tekirdağ in Thrace or Erdek on the southern shore of the Sea of Marmara. In high summer additional ferries travel to Avşa and Marmara Islands from the centre of İstanbul to facilitate a growing tourist trade.

There are also a few individual islands elsewhere in the Sea of Marmara, such as Koç Adası, off Tuzla, which is privately owned by the Koç family of industrialists.

Environmental challenges

The North Anatolian Fault runs under the sea and has triggered several major earthquakes, such as the Izmit and Düzce in August and November 1999 respectively. The August 1999 earthquake is commonly referred to as the Marmara Earthquake since its epicentre lay under the Sea and most of the places worst affected by the quake and ensuing tsunami lay along its shores.

In a storm on 29 December 1999, the Russian oil tanker broke in two in the Sea of Marmara, spilling more than 1,500 tonnes of oil into the water.

The main cities in Turkey, especially Istanbul, the largest city, are around the Marmara Sea, a small inland sea. Despite its limited size, the basin is home to about one-third of the country's population. Rapid population growth and uncontrolled construction in this area have put heavy pressure on the sea. For many years, waste was dumped into the Marmara Sea with little or no treatment, surpassing the sea's ability to handle it. As a result, many species in the sea have disappeared, and fishing was banned in the "East Bay" of the Marmara Sea for years due to severe pollution. One of the most serious environmental problems in the Marmara Sea in recent years has been mucilage, a thick, sticky substance that appears for up to six months. The mucilage outbreak began in January 2021 and lasted until June 2021. It caused habitat loss, economic issues, and disrupted vital ecosystem services, such as fishing.

Towns and cities

Towns and cities on the coast of the Sea of Marmara include:

Gallery

File:Bosphorus aerial view.jpg|The Bosporus with Istanbul in the background File:Marmara sea.JPG|View of Marmara Sea from Istanbul File:Yassiada 1.jpg|Sea of Marmara approaching Yassıada

Notes

References

References

1. "Marmara, Sea of - Dictionary definition of Marmara, Sea of - Encyclopedia.com: FREE online dictionary".
2. "''A Greek-English Lexicon''". Perseus.
3. {{Cite OED
4. Parada, Carlos. "Greek Mythology Link".
5. (1953). "Limits of Oceans and Seas". International Hydrographic Organization.
6. (16 August 2019). "Marmara earthquake: 20 years on". IFRC.
7. (January 2001). "The Volgoneft-248 Oil Spill in the Marmara Sea".
8. (2023). "Mucilage Problem in the Sea of Marmara". Istanbul University Press.