All articles tagged with #mediterranean sea
A volunteer diver during a Ghost Diving mission to remove abandoned nets off the Strait of Sicily captured what researchers describe as a rare underwater sighting of a great white shark in the Mediterranean, underscoring conservation concerns since the species is listed as critically endangered in the region.
A great white shark was filmed underwater in the Mediterranean for the first time, spotted by divers during a garbage-removal dive in the Strait of Sicily. The sighting underscores the region’s biodiversity while highlighting ongoing threats from abandoned fishing gear and overfishing, and reinforces the need for ocean protection.
CNN reports that the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank off the coast of Spain in December 2024 after a series of explosions while likely carrying two submarine-nuclear reactor components—potentially bound for North Korea. Spanish investigators cited the captain’s statements about the cargo, U.S. nuclear-sniffer aircraft monitored the scene, and the full contents and destination remain unconfirmed amid questions about a possible covert transfer of nuclear technology.
A juvenile great white was caught off eastern Spain in 2023, triggering a study that documents sporadic sightings in the Mediterranean and suggests sharks may transit Spanish waters along with Atlantic bluefin tuna. With the Mediterranean population classified as Critically Endangered and genetics distinct from Atlantic sharks, protecting bluefin tuna and advancing regional conservation could improve the sharks’ prospects as researchers reassess potential breeding grounds and corridors in the region.
A Russian LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz sank after explosions and a fire off Libya, with Moscow accusing Ukrainian naval drones of the attack; Ukraine has not commented publicly and Libyan authorities say the cause is unclear. About 62,000 tonnes of LNG were aboard, and 30 Russians were reportedly onboard and later found safe in a lifeboat as Malta-led rescue efforts proceeded. The incident comes amid ongoing disputes over Russia's shadow fleet and sanctions, while unverified footage circulated online and the SBU offered no confirmation.
The UN migration agency (IOM) says 53 people are dead or missing after a migrant boat capsized off the Libyan coast near Zuwara; only two survivors were rescued. Survivor accounts say one woman lost her husband and another lost her two babies. The boat had departed Al-Zawiya around 11:00 p.m. on Feb. 5 and capsized about six hours later. IOM warns trafficking networks exploit dangerous crossings and urges safer migration pathways to save lives, noting high death/missing tallies in the Central Mediterranean in January and 2025.
UN migration agency IOM says 53 people are dead or missing after a migrant boat capsized north of Zuwara, Libya, with only two survivors rescued; survivors included Nigerian women who lost family. The boat departed Al-Zawiya around 11pm on Feb 5 and capsized about six hours later as trafficking networks exploit the central Mediterranean route, prompting calls for stronger international cooperation and safer, regular migration pathways.
France, with allied support, boarded and inspected the oil tanker Grinch, suspected of belonging to Russia’s sanctioned 'shadow fleet' and flying a false flag, in the Mediterranean between Spain and Morocco; the vessel linked to Murmansk is being escorted for verification as sanctions enforcement intensifies against Russian oil funding the war in Ukraine.
Scientists have uncovered that the Mediterranean Sea nearly vanished in a two-phase process of extreme evaporation over five million years ago, leading to a significant loss of marine biodiversity, with only 11% of species surviving the crisis and a recovery period of at least 1.7 million years.
Scientists using the KM3NeT underwater telescope in the Mediterranean Sea detected the most energetic cosmic neutrino ever recorded at 120 PeV, challenging existing theories and opening new avenues for understanding extreme astrophysical phenomena and cosmic particle acceleration.
A Russian nuclear-capable submarine, Novorossiysk, experienced a serious malfunction in the Mediterranean, with fuel leaking into the hold and posing an explosion risk, raising fears of a disaster similar to the Kursk incident.
Shawn Levy shared an early look at his upcoming Star Wars film, 'Starfighter,' featuring Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray on set in the Mediterranean Sea. The movie, set five years after Episode IX, is scheduled for release on May 28, 2027, and is not part of the Skywalker saga. It stars a notable cast including Matt Smith and Mia Goth, with Levy and Kathleen Kennedy producing.
Scientists using the KM3NeT telescope in the Mediterranean Sea detected an ultra-high-energy neutrino in February 2023, traveling billions of light-years from a distant galaxy, providing new insights into cosmic phenomena involving black holes and other energetic events.
A new study reveals that the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC), which occurred 5.5 million years ago, led to the evaporation of nearly 70% of the Mediterranean Sea in two phases. Initially, restricted water flow from the Atlantic Ocean caused significant evaporation and salt deposits. In the second phase, complete isolation accelerated these processes, drastically lowering water levels and exposing land bridges. This event, driven by tectonic activity, had significant climatic and geological impacts, and the study provides insights into the Mediterranean's historical evolution.
Scientists have uncovered the process behind the Messinian Salinity Crisis, a geological event 5.5 million years ago that transformed the Mediterranean Sea into a massive salt basin, losing up to 70% of its water volume. This occurred in two phases: an initial salt deposition in the eastern Mediterranean and a rapid evaporative drawdown affecting the entire basin, causing significant sea-level drops. These findings, published in Nature Communications, enhance understanding of past geological phenomena and their global impacts.