Molucca Sea

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

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Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/molucca-sea

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is the Molucca Sea?Approximately 77,000 square miles (200,000 square kilometers)
2. How deep is the Molucca Sea?The Batjan basin, reaching depths of 15,780 feet (4,810 meters)
3. What is the geological classification?Classified as a micro plate undergoing bidirectional subduction
4. What is the primary marine features?Extensive coral reefs and significant oceanic depth
5. Why is the Molucca Sea special for coral reefs?It has many colorful coral reefs that provide homes, nurseries, and food for a wide variety of fish and other sea creatures. These reefs are a favorite spot for divers and scientists.
6. Where are the Molucca Sea's borders?The sea is surrounded by the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi to the west, Halmahera to the east, and the Sula Islands to the south.

Microplate: A small, geologically distinct tectonic plate fragment that exhibits independent movement and deformation.
Subduction Zone: An area where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, typically resulting in seismic and volcanic activity.
Biodiversity Hotspot: A region with exceptionally high levels of species richness and endemism, often facing significant threats.
Archipelago: A group or chain of islands clustered together in a sea or ocean.