A strait is a water body connecting two seas or two water basins. While the landform generally constricts the flow, the surface water still flows, for the most part, at the same elevation on both sides and through the strait in both directions. In some straits there may be a dominant directional current through the strait. Most commonly, it is a narrowing channel that lies between two land masses . Some straits are not navigable, for example because they are either too narrow or too shallow, or because of an unnavigable reef or archipelago . Straits are also known to be loci for sediment accumulation. Usually, sand-size deposits occur on both the two opposite strait exits, forming subaqueous fans or deltas .
17-712: The Mare Island Strait is a channel at 38°06′00″N 122°15′54″W / 38.10°N 122.265°W / 38.10; -122.265 in the San Pablo Bay separating Mare Island and the mainland in Vallejo, California in Solano County . The strait was formerly used by the Mare Island Naval Shipyard until its closure in 1995. The strait is the mouth of the Napa River and
34-576: A day), and two walkways. Supporters perceive the bridge as an opportunity for job creation and potential for an increase in tourism to the island. Opponents see it as an ecological disaster, a structure at risk due to especially strong winds and earthquakes (the area having an intense seismic record), and a potential increase in Sicilian and Calabrian organized crime. Berlusconi claimed in 2009 that work would be completed by 2016 although in February 2013,
51-563: A massive new public works program, Silvio Berlusconi 's government announced that plans to construct the Messina Bridge had been fully revived, pledging €1.3 billion as a contribution to its estimated cost of €6.1 billion Some 3.3 km long and 60 m wide, the bridge would be supported by two 382 m pillars, each higher than the Empire State Building , and accommodate six freeway lanes, a railway (for up to 200 trains
68-750: A part of high seas or an exclusive economic zone with the territorial sea of a coastal nation ( Straits of Tiran , Strait of Juan de Fuca , Strait of Baltiysk ) and (2) in straits formed by an island of a state bordering the strait and its mainland if there exists seaward of the island a route through the high seas or through an exclusive economic zone of similar convenience with respect to navigational and hydrographical characteristics ( Strait of Messina , Pentland Firth ). There may be no suspension of innocent passage through such straits. [REDACTED] Media related to Straits at Wikimedia Commons Strait of Messina The Strait of Messina ( Italian : Stretto di Messina ; Sicilian : Strittu di Missina )
85-453: Is 5.1 km (3.2 mi) wide. The strait's maximum depth is about 250 m (820 ft). The strait has strong tidal currents that create a unique marine ecosystem . The rock in the town of Scilla, Calabria at the north of the strait and a natural whirlpool in the northern portion of the strait have been linked to the Greek legend of Scylla and Charybdis . In some circumstances,
102-584: Is a narrow strait between the eastern tip of Sicily ( Punta del Faro ) and the western tip of Calabria ( Punta Pezzo ) in Southern Italy . It connects the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north with the Ionian Sea to the south, within the central Mediterranean . At its narrowest point, between Torre Faro and Villa San Giovanni , it is 3.1 km (1.9 mi) wide. At the city of Messina , it
119-545: Is a strong presence of deep sea fish like the Sloane's viperfish which, due to the particular and peculiar currents of the strait, are occasionally found stranded on the shore at sunrise. The strait is also an important point of migration of many species of fish in the Mediterranean Sea . A ferry service connects Messina on Sicily with the mainland at Villa San Giovanni , which lies several kilometers north of
136-562: Is sometimes differentiated with varying senses. In Scotland, firth or Kyle are also sometimes used as synonyms for strait. Many straits are economically important. Straits can be important shipping routes and wars have been fought for control of them. Numerous artificial channels, called canals , have been constructed to connect two oceans or seas over land, such as the Suez Canal . Although rivers and canals often provide passage between two large lakes, and these seem to suit
153-403: Is used for both recreational and freight boating. The Vallejo Ferry Terminal and its commuter ferry service to San Francisco are located on the strait. This Solano County, California -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Strait The terms channel , pass , or passage can be synonymous and used interchangeably with strait , although each
170-509: The coastal salt lakes of the Strait of Messina species like glossy ibis , flamingos and black-winged stilt stop to rest. The site is also favorable for observing storks . The Monte Dinnammare and the other Peloritani mountains overlooking the Strait are a natural theatre for birdwatching . Due to its unique hydrogeological conditions the Strait of Messina has high levels of biodiversity and multiple endemic species. In its waters there
187-583: The converse of isthmuses . That is, while a strait lies between two land masses and connects two large areas of ocean, an isthmus lies between two areas of ocean and connects two large land masses. Some straits have the potential to generate significant tidal power using tidal stream turbines . Tides are more predictable than wave power or wind power . The Pentland Firth (a strait) may be capable of generating 10 GW . Cook Strait in New Zealand may be capable of generating 5.6 GW even though
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#1732780326290204-475: The formal definition of strait, they are not usually referred to as such. Rivers and often canals, generally have a directional flow tied to changes in elevation, whereas straits often are free flowing in either direction or switch direction, maintaining the same elevation. The term strait is typically reserved for much larger, wider features of the marine environment. There are exceptions, with straits being called canals; Pearse Canal , for example. Straits are
221-484: The large city of Reggio Calabria ; the ferries hold the cars (carriages) of the mainline train service between Palermo and Naples. There is also a hydrofoil service between Messina and Reggio Calabria. For decades, the possibility of building a bridge across the Messina Strait has been under discussion. In 2006, under Prime Minister Romano Prodi the project was cancelled. On 6 March 2009, however, as part of
238-405: The mirage of Fata Morgana can be observed when looking at Sicily from Calabria. With its bottleneck shape, it is also a compulsory point of transit in the migration of many bird species. In 1957, a 220 kV overhead power line was built across the Strait of Messina. Its pylons are among the highest in the world. This power line has since been replaced by a submarine power cable , but
255-432: The pylons remain and are protected as historical monuments (see Pylons of Messina ). On July 10, 2024, Estonian athlete Jaan Roose crossed the Strait of Messina on a slackline spanned between the two Messina Pylons . He surpassed the previous longest slackline walk of 2,710 meters and completed a distance of 3,600 meters. The Strait of Messina is a focal point in the migrations of birds every year, who mainly cross
272-467: The strait to reach their breeding grounds in northern Europe. Due to this form of bottleneck more than 300 species are recorded in the area, which is a major European hot spot for raptors , with a record of 35,000 in one spring. Among them the European honey buzzard and the marsh harrier are the most frequent, and species like Bonelli's eagle and Egyptian vulture are less frequent but regular. In
289-477: The total energy available in the flow is 15 GW. Straits used for international navigation through the territorial sea between one part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone and another part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone are subject to the legal regime of transit passage ( Strait of Gibraltar , Dover Strait , Strait of Hormuz ). The regime of innocent passage applies in straits used for international navigation (1) that connect
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