Andaman Sea

Andaman Sea
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Name	Andaman Sea
Caption	Map of the Andaman Sea.
Location	Southeast Asia
Type	Sea
Inflow	Irrawaddy River, Salween River
Outflow	Strait of Malacca
Basin countries	Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, India
Islands	Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands, Mergui Archipelago
Cities	Yangon, Mawlamyine, Dawei, Phuket, Banda Aceh

Andaman Sea. The Andaman Sea is a significant marginal sea of the northeastern Indian Ocean, bounded to the east by the Malay Peninsula and to the west by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands chain. It serves as a vital maritime corridor connecting the Bay of Bengal to the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea. The sea's strategic location has influenced regional trade, ecology, and geopolitical dynamics for centuries.

Geography

The Andaman Sea is bordered by the coastlines of Myanmar and Thailand to the east, and the Indian union territories of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the west. Its southern limit is generally defined by a line from Breueh Island in Indonesia's Aceh province to Laem Phromthep on Phuket in Thailand. Major ports on its shores include Yangon in Myanmar and Phuket in Thailand, while significant river systems like the Irrawaddy River and the Salween River discharge vast amounts of freshwater and sediment into its northern basin. Other notable coastal features include the Mergui Archipelago off Myanmar and the popular tourist island of Ko Phi Phi in Thailand.

Geology

The sea floor is dominated by the active Sunda Trench, where the Indo-Australian Plate subducts beneath the Burma Plate, making the region highly seismogenic. This tectonic activity was catastrophically demonstrated by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, whose epicenter was west of Sumatra. The sea's basin is relatively deep, with an average depth of about 1,000 meters, and features several submarine valleys and the dormant Barren Island volcano, India's only active volcano. The geological structure is part of the complex Sunda Arc system, which extends from the Andaman Islands to Timor.

Oceanography

The oceanography of the Andaman Sea is characterized by a complex system of currents, with surface waters influenced by the seasonal reversals of the Southwest and Northeast monsoons. During the southwest monsoon, surface currents flow northward, while the northeast monsoon drives a southward flow. The sea exhibits a distinct, persistent thermocline and receives significant freshwater input from the Irrawaddy River, creating brackish surface layers, especially in the Gulf of Martaban. Water exchange occurs primarily through the Strait of Malacca to the south and the Preparis Channel to the north, linking it to the Bay of Bengal.

Ecology

The Andaman Sea hosts exceptionally biodiverse marine ecosystems, including extensive coral reefs around the Similan Islands and the Surin Islands, which are protected within Mu Ko Similan National Park and Mu Ko Surin National Park. These waters are home to iconic species such as the dugong, whale shark, manta ray, and numerous sea turtle species, including the leatherback sea turtle. The coastal mangrove forests, particularly in the Gulf of Martaban, are among the most extensive in the world and provide critical nursery grounds for fish and crustaceans, supporting fisheries for communities from Mawlamyine to Ranong.

Human use

The sea is a crucial artery for global commerce, with major shipping lanes funneling traffic from the Indian Ocean through the Strait of Malacca toward Singapore and the South China Sea. It supports significant economic activities, including fisheries for tuna and prawns, and aquaculture, particularly in Thailand's Phang Nga Bay. Tourism is a major industry, centered on world-renowned destinations like Phuket, Krabi, and the Mergui Archipelago, offering scuba diving and recreational boating. Offshore, there is exploration for hydrocarbon resources, and the sea is monitored for security by navies including the Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy.

History

Historically, the sea was part of ancient maritime trade routes used by Austronesian sailors, Funan, and the Srivijaya empire, facilitating cultural exchange between India and Southeast Asia. From the 16th century, European colonial powers like the Portuguese Empire, Dutch East India Company, and British East India Company vied for control of its ports and trade. During World War II, it was a theater of naval conflict, including the Battle of the Malacca Strait and operations by Allied forces against Japanese-held Yangon. In the modern era, it has been central to regional cooperation through bodies like the ASEAN and disaster response following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Category:Andaman Sea Category:Marginal seas of the Indian Ocean Category:Seas of Asia