Ligurian Sea

The Ligurian Sea is a specific arm of the Mediterranean Sea.

It sits in the region of Europe between the Italian Riviera and the island of Corsica. The sea is thought to have been named after the ancient Ligures people. This body of water is important for its geography and its many living creatures. It serves as a connection between different parts of the Mediterranean system.

Water moves through this sea in complex ways at different depths. On the surface, the sea is traversed by Modified Atlantic Water, or MAW. This is water that has changed properties after moving through other areas. In the deeper parts of the sea, the Levantine Intermediate Water flows instead. Two main currents also circle the island of Corsica. These are known as the Western Corsica Current and the Tyrrhenian current. The Tyrrhenian current eventually reaches the Corsica Channel. These moving layers of water help define the sea's environment.

The geography of the area includes many distinct coastal features. The northernmost part of the sea is the Gulf of Genoa. The northwest coast is particularly noted for its specific climate and scenery. Along the rocky coast, you will find the ports of Genoa and La Spezia. Genoa is the most prominent city located in this maritime area. The sea reaches its maximum depth northwest of the island of Corsica. At this point, the depth exceeds 2,500 meters.

Scientists have studied the physical movements of the water here. A study from 1983 looked at sea-level variations at Genoa and Imperia. This research focused on data collected since 1977. The study highlighted the existence of a seiche wave. A seiche is a standing wave in an enclosed or partially enclosed body of water. This specific wave has a mean period of 5.8 hours. At the time of the study, the exact reasons for this wave were not yet explained.

The International Hydrographic Organization defines the exact limits of the sea. These borders help map the area clearly. On the southwest, a line joins Cape Corse to the frontier between France and Italy. Cape Corse is the northern point of Corsica. On the southeast, a line joins Cape Corse with Tinetto Island. From there, the boundary moves through the Tino and Palmaria Islands. It finally reaches San Pietro Point on the coast of Italy.

Conservation efforts are a major part of life in the Ligurian Sea. Many species of cetaceans live in these waters. Cetaceans are a group of marine mammals that includes whales and dolphins. It is important to note that porpoises are not found in this part of the Mediterranean. To protect these animals, bordering countries established a special area in 1999. This area is known as a SPAMI. This stands for a Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance.

The protection of these animals is managed through a large sanctuary. This is called the International Ligurian Sea Cetacean Sanctuary. The sanctuary is quite large in its reach. It covers both the territorial waters of the countries and the high seas. This ensures that whales and dolphins have a safe space to move. By protecting these species, the countries help maintain the balance of the sea. This sanctuary remains a key part of the region's environmental management.