how deep is the strait of gibraltar

The Strait of Gibraltar reaches a maximum depth of about 900 meters (2,953 feet). This narrow passage linking the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea varies significantly in depth, with shallower areas around 300 meters (980 feet).

Key Dimensions

Measuring roughly 58 kilometers (36 miles) long and 14 kilometers (8.8 miles) wide at its narrowest, the strait features a complex seabed. Its deepest point lies in the eastern section, while sills like Camarinal create bottlenecks as shallow as 300 meters.

Feature| Measurement| Notes 135
---|---|---
Max Depth| 900 m (2,953 ft)| Eastern section, confirmed by bathymetric surveys
Min Depth| 300 m (980 ft)| Camarinal Sill, western bottleneck
Average Depth| 300-400 m (984-1,312 ft)| Across full length
Length| 58 km (36 mi)| Europe to Africa
Narrowest Width| 14 km (8.8 mi)| Strategic chokepoint

Geological Story

Imagine the dramatic Zanclean Flood 5.33 million years ago: Atlantic waters burst through, refilling a dried-up Mediterranean basin and carving this strait. Tectonic shifts keep its bathymetry dynamic, influencing ocean currents today—cold Atlantic inflow at depth, warm Mediterranean outflow at surface.

• Atlantic Inflow : Deep, nutrient-rich waters renew Mediterranean oxygen.

• Surface Outflow : Salty Mediterranean water flows out, visible on calm days as you glimpse Africa from Spain.

Why It Matters

This vital shipping lane handles massive global trade, yet its depths host diverse marine life from dolphins to deep-sea species. Recent surveys (up to 2025) refine these figures with multi-beam sonar, underscoring its role in climate and navigation.

TL;DR : Max 900m deep, vital ocean link with depths varying 300-900m.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.