STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR - GEOGRAPHY
News: Yacht sinks after latest
incident involving orcas in strait of Gibraltar
What's in the news?
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In Moroccan waters within the Strait of Gibraltar,
a sailing yacht was sunk by a group of orcas after being rammed, with the exact
number of orcas involved remaining unknown.
Strait of Gibraltar:
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The Strait of Gibraltar is situated as a narrow
waterway separating Europe from Africa,
connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.
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Its narrowest point lies between Morocco’s Point
Cires and Spain’s Point Marroquí.
Geographical Features:
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With depths ranging from 300 to 900 meters, the
strait forms a significant gap between the high plateau of Spain and the Atlas
Mountains of Northern Africa.
Formation:
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Geological studies have revealed that the Strait
was formed due to the northward movement of the African Plate towards the
European Plate.
Water Flow Dynamics:
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Due to varying salinity levels, the highly saline
waters from the Mediterranean Sea flow outward and underneath the currents from
the Atlantic Ocean, while the less saline Atlantic waters flow inward and on
top of the Mediterranean Sea current.
Role as a Chokepoint:
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Serving as a chokepoint for ships entering or
leaving the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar is also a crucial
shipping route for countries across northern
Africa, southern Europe, and western Asia.
Significant Port:
● A key port located along the Strait of Gibraltar is the Moroccan port of Tanger-Med, situated near Tangier.