Coordinates: 0°25′S 125°25′E

Molucca Sea
The Molucca Sea (Indonesian: Laut Maluku) is located in
Molucca Sea
the western Pacific Ocean, around the vicinity of Indonesia,
specifically bordered by the Indonesian Islands of Celebes Laut Maluku
(Sulawesi) to the west, Halmahera to the east, and the Sula
Islands to the south. The Molucca Sea has a total surface
area of 77,000 square miles (200,000 square km). The
Molucca Sea is rich in coral and has many diving sites due
to the deepness of its waters. The deepness of the water
explains the reasoning behind dividing the sea into three
zones, which functions to transport water from the Pacific
Ocean to the shallower seas surrounding it. The deepest
hollow in the Molucca Sea is the 15,780-foot (4,810-meter)
Batjan (Indonesian: Bacan) basin. This region is known for
its periodic experiences of earthquakes, which stems from
Location of the Molucca Sea within
the sea itself being a micro plate, in which the Molucca Sea
Southeast Asia
is being subducted in two opposite directions: one in the
direction of the Eurasian Plate to the west and the other in
the direction of the Philippines Sea Plate to the east. Molucca
Sea

Contents Location Southeast Asia

Location Coordinates 0°25′S 125°25′E
History Type Sea
Earthquakes Part of Pacific Ocean
See also Basin countries Indonesia
Notes
Surface area 200,000 km2
References (77,000 sq mi)
Max. depth 4,810 m (15,781 ft)

Location Settlements Bitung, Ternate City,

Tidore City
The Molucca Sea borders the Banda Sea to the south and
the Celebes Sea to the west. To the north is Philippine Sea and to the east is Halmahera Sea.

The islands bordering the Molucca Sea include Halmahera to the north east, Buru and Ceram in the centre,
and Sulawesi to the west. The Talaud Islands to the north are considered to be the northern border the sea,
though the Molucca Sea Plate, the tectonic plate named after the sea, extends further north.

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) defines the "Molukka Sea" [sic] as being one of the
waters of the East Indian Archipelago. The IHO defines its limits as follows:[1]
 On the North. By a line from the
Northeast extreme of Celebes [Sulawesi]
through the Siau Islands to the South
point of Sangi (3°21′N 125°37′E) thence
to the Southern extreme of the Talaud
Group, through these islands to their
Northeastern extreme (4°29′N 126°52′E)
and thence a line to Tanjong Sopi, the
Northern point of Morotai Island.

On the East. By the West coast of Celebes Sea, with the Molucca Sea to the
Morotai from Tanjong Sopi as far south as southeast
Wajaboela (2°17′N 128°12′E), thence a
line to the Northern point of Halmahera
and down its West coast to Tanjong
Libolo, its Southern extreme.

On the South. A line from the Southern

extreme of Halmahera to the North point
of Bisa (Setile) Island, thence to the
Northern extreme of Obi Major, through
this island to Tanjong Ake Lamo, its
Southwestern point, thence to Tanjong
Dehekolano, the Eastern extremity of the
Soela [Sula] Islands, along their Northern
coasts to Tanjong Marikasoe, the Western
extreme, thence a line to the Southeast
point of Banggai Island (1°43′S
123°36′E).

On the West. The East coasts of Banggai

and Peleng Islands to North Bangkalan
(1°10′S 123°18′E) thence a line to Tg.
Botok (Celebes) (1°04′S 123°19′E) round
the coast to Tg. Pasir Pandjang (0°39′S
123°25′E) and across to Tg. Tombalilatoe
(0°18′24″N 123°20′44″E) on the opposite
coast, thence up the East coast to Tg.
Poeisan, the Northeastern extreme of
Celebes.

History
The Portuguese, Dutch, British, and Spanish Empires fought each other for control of the spice islands that
can only be accessed through the Molucca Sea.

Earthquakes
January 6, 2019, measuring 7.0, with no tsunamis resulting.
The sea is a very seismically active area due to the Molucca Sea Plate.

See also
Strait of Malacca, which is west of Singapore.

Notes
1. "Limits of Oceans and Seas, 3rd edition" (https://web.archive.org/web/20181005131902/htt
p://www.iho.int/iho_pubs/standard/S-23/S-23_Ed3_1953_EN.pdf) (PDF). International
Hydrographic Organization. 1953. Archived from the original (https://iho.int/uploads/user/pub
s/standards/s-23/S-23_Ed3_1953_EN.pdf) (PDF) on 5 October 2018. Retrieved
28 December 2020.

References
1. Molucca Sea (http://www.britannica.com/place/Molucca-Sea)

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This page was last edited on 23 February 2022, at 18:08 (UTC).

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