View source for Java Sea

{{Short description|Shallow sea between Java and Kalimantan, in Indonesia}}
{{EngvarA|date=March 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox sea
| name = Java Sea
| image = Locatie Javazee.PNG
| caption = Location of the Java Sea
| image_bathymetry = 
| caption_bathymetry = 
| location = [[Sunda Shelf]]
| coords = {{coord|5|S|110|E|type:waterbody_scale:10000000|display=inline,title}}
| type = [[Sea]]
| inflow = [[Barito River|Barito]], [[Solo River|Bengawan Solo]], [[Brantas]], [[Ciliwung]], [[Cimanuk]], [[Citarum]], [[Kahayan River|Kahayan]], [[Musi River (Indonesia)|Musi]], [[Seruyan River]], [[Sampit River (Indonesia)|Sampit River]]
|pushpin_map=Indonesia
| outflow = 
| catchment = 
| basin_countries = [[Indonesia]]
| length = {{convert|1600|km|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|380|km|abbr=on}}
| area = {{convert|320000|km2|abbr=on}}<ref name="World Atlas">{{cite web |title=Java Sea |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/seas/java-sea.html |work=World Atlas |access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref>
| depth = {{convert|46|m|abbr=on}}
| cities = [[Batulicin]], [[Cirebon]], [[Jakarta]], [[Jepara]], [[Makassar]], [[Pekalongan]], [[Probolinggo]], [[Semarang]], [[Surabaya]], [[Tanjung Pandan]], [[Tegal]], [[Toboali]], [[Tuban]]
| max-depth = 
| volume = 
| frozen = 
| reference = 
}}

The '''Java Sea''' ({{langx|id|Laut Jawa}}, {{langx|jv|Segara Jawa}}) is an extensive shallow sea on the [[Sunda Shelf]], between the [[Indonesia]]n islands of [[Borneo]] to the north, [[Java]] to the south, [[Sumatra]] to the west, and [[Sulawesi]] to the east. [[Karimata Strait]] to its northwest links it to the [[South China Sea]]. Although generally considered to be a part of the western [[Pacific Ocean]],<ref>[https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/airasia-flight-qz8501-5-things-about-java-sea-where-search-for-plane-is-taking-place AirAsia flight QZ8501: 5 things about Java Sea, where search for plane is taking place]. [[The Straits Times]]. December 28, 2014</ref><ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/Java-Sea Java Sea]. [[Encyclopædia Britannica]].</ref> the Java Sea is occasionally considered to be a part of the [[Indian Ocean]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Ocean Details |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/oceans/indian-ocean/map/ |website=CIA World Factbook |access-date=27 December 2024}}</ref>

==Geography==
The Java Sea covers the southern section of the {{convert|1790000|sqkm|abbr=on}} [[Sunda Shelf]]. A shallow sea, it has a mean depth of {{convert|46|m|abbr=on}}. It measures about {{convert|1600|km|abbr=on}} east-west by {{convert|380|km|abbr=on}} north-south and occupies a total surface area of {{convert|320000|sqkm|abbr=on}}.<ref name="World Atlas"/>

It formed as sea levels rose at the end of the last [[ice age]].<ref>{{cite news  | title =Pleistocene Sea Level Maps  | publisher =The Field Museum  | url =http://www.fieldmuseum.org/pleistocene-sea-level-maps |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240410161956/https://www.fieldmuseum.org/pleistocene-sea-level-maps |archive-date= Apr 10, 2024 }}</ref> Its almost uniformly flat bottom, and the presence of drainage channels (traceable to the mouths of island rivers), indicate that the Sunda Shelf was once a stable, dry, low-relief land area ([[peneplain]]) above which were left standing a few [[monadnocks]] (granite hills that, due to their resistance to erosion, form the present islands).

===Extent===
The [[International Hydrographic Organization]] (IHO) defines the Java Sea as one of the waters of the [[East Indian Archipelago]], with the following criteria:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://iho.int/uploads/user/pubs/standards/s-23/S-23_Ed3_1953_EN.pdf |title=Limits of Oceans and Seas, 3rd edition |year=1953 |publisher=International Hydrographic Organization |access-date=28 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008191433/http://www.iho.int/iho_pubs/standard/S-23/S-23_Ed3_1953_EN.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2011 }}</ref>

<blockquote>''On the North.'' By the Southern limit of the [[South China Sea]] [Lucipara Point ({{coord|3|14|S|106|05|E}}) thence to Tanjong Nanka, the Southwest extremity of [[Bangka Island]], through this island to Tanjong Berikat the Eastern point ({{coord|2|34|S|106|51|E}}), on to Tanjong Djemang ({{coord|2|36|S|107|37|E}}) in [[Belitung|Billiton]], along the North coast of this island to Tanjong Boeroeng Mandi ({{coord|2|46|S|108|16|E}}) and thence a line to Tanjong Sambar ({{coord|3|00|S|110|19|E}}) the Southwest extreme of [[Borneo]]<nowiki>]</nowiki>, the South coast of Borneo and the Southern limit of [[Makassar Strait]] [By a line from the Southwestern extreme of [[Sulawesi|Celebes]] ({{coord|5|37|S|119|27|E}}), through the Southern point of Tana Keke, to the Southern extreme of [[Laut Island|Laoet]] ({{coord|4|06|S|116|06|E}}) thence up the West coast of that island to Tanjong Kiwi and thence across to Tanjong Petang, Borneo ({{coord|3|37|S|115|57|E}}) at the Southern end of Laoet Strait].

''On the East.'' By the Western limit of [[Flores Sea]] [A line from Tg Sarokaja ({{coord|8|22|S|117|10|E}}) to the Western Paternoster island ({{coord|7|26|S|117|08|E}}) thence to the Northeastern Postiljon Island ({{coord|6|33|S|118|49|E}}) and to the West point of Laikang Bay, Celebes].

''On the South.'' By the Northern and Northwestern limits of [[Bali Sea]] [A line from the Western Paternoster Island to the East point of Sepandjang and thence through this island to the West point of Gedeh Bay on the South coast of [[Kangean Island|Kangean]] ({{coord|7|01|S|115|18|E}}). A line from the West point of Gedeh Bay, Kangean Island, to Tg Sedano, the Northeast extreme of [[Java]] and down the East coast to Tg Bantenan, the Southeast extreme of the island], the North and West coasts of Java to Java Hoofd ({{coord|6|46|S|105|12|E}}) its Western point, and thence a line to Vlakke Hoek ({{coord|5|55|S|104|35|E}}) the Southern extreme of [[Sumatra]].

''On the West.'' The East coast of [[Sumatra]] between Vlakke Hoek and Lucipara Point ({{coord|3|14|S|106|05|E}}).</blockquote>

==History==
[[File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Anjer aan de noordkust van Java TMnr 3728-415.jpg|thumb|left|Coast of Java Sea off [[Anyer]]]]

The [[Battle of the Java Sea]] from February to March 1942, was one of the costliest [[naval battle]]s of [[World War II]]. The naval forces of the Netherlands, Britain, Australia, and the United States were nearly destroyed trying to defend Java from Japanese attack.<ref>Oosten, F. C. van ''The Battle of the Java Sea'' Publisher: London : I. Allen, 1976. {{ISBN|0-7110-0615-6}}</ref><ref>Thomas, David A. ''Battle of the Java Sea''. London: Pan Books, 1971. {{ISBN|0-330-02608-9}}</ref>

===Incident===
On 28 December 2014, [[Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501]] crashed into the Java Sea while on route to [[Singapore]] from [[Surabaya]], East Java. All 162 passengers and crew were killed.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kaiman |first=Jonathan |last2=Farrell |first2=Paul |last3=Safi |first3=Michael |date=2014-12-30 |title=AirAsia flight: teams retrieve bodies from Java Sea |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/30/missing-airasia-flight-qz8501-teams-retrieve-bodies-java-sea |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413082427/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/30/missing-airasia-flight-qz8501-teams-retrieve-bodies-java-sea |archive-date= Apr 13, 2024 }}</ref>

On 29 October 2018, a [[Boeing 737 MAX 8]] operating as [[Lion Air Flight 610]] crashed into the Java Sea shortly after takeoff from [[Soekarno–Hatta International Airport]] in [[Jakarta]] heading towards [[Depati Amir Airport]] in [[Pangkal Pinang]]. All 189 passengers and crew on board died making it the first hull loss of a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/lion-air-flight-crashes-in-indonesia-20181029-p50cmu.html|title=Lion Air flight crashes in Indonesia |first1=James |last1=Massola |first2=Karuni |last2=Rompies |first3=Amilia |last3=Rosa |first4=Jenny |last4=Noyes |date=2018-10-29|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2018-10-29}}</ref>

On 9 January 2021, a [[Boeing 737-500]] (PK-CLC) operating as [[Sriwijaya Air Flight 182]], crashed, near Laki Island, shortly after taking off from [[Soekarno–Hatta International Airport]], en route to [[Supadio International Airport]], with 50 passengers and 12 crew members aboard.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/indonesia-plane-missing-latest-updates-boeing-737-sriwijaya-air-flight-sj182-b1784832.html|title = Dozens feared dead after Boeing 737 drops 10,000ft into sea off Indonesia| website=[[Independent.co.uk]] |date = 10 January 2021}}</ref>

==Economic activities==
The southern section of the seafloor has long been recognized as geologically similar to northern Java, where oil fields occur and extend under the sea. Prospects are also favorable for oil fields in the waters off southeast [[Kalimantan]]. As the site of successful exploration for petroleum and natural gas, the Java Sea has become the basis of Indonesia's export program.

Fishing is an important economic activity in the Java Sea. Over 3,000 species of marine life are found in the area. A number of national parks exist in the area such as [[Karimunjawa]]. The [[Thousand Islands (Indonesia)|Thousand Islands]] are located north of the national capital [[Jakarta]], and are the city's only [[Regency (Indonesia)|regency]].

The area around the Java Sea is also a popular [[tourist]] destination. [[Scuba diving]] offers a chance to explore and photograph underwater [[cave]]rns, [[Shipwreck|wrecks]], [[coral]], [[sea sponge|sponge]]s, and other marine life.<ref>[[Nina Epton|Epton, Nina]] (1955). ''The Islands of Indonesia''. London: Pitman.</ref>

== See also ==
* {{Portal-inline|Indonesia}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Touwen, Jeroen, ed. (2001). ''Shipping and Trade in the Java Sea Region, 1870–1940: A Collection of Statistics on the Major Java Sea Ports''. {{ISBN|90-6718-162-5}}.
* (2008) "Java Sea: A Study on Its Economic Impacts".{{Full citation needed|date=July 2025}}

{{List of Indonesian seas}}
{{List of seas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Java Sea| ]]
[[Category:Landforms of Java]]
[[Category:Landforms of Kalimantan]]
[[Category:Landforms of Sulawesi]]
[[Category:Landforms of Sumatra]]
[[Category:Marginal seas of the Pacific Ocean]]
[[Category:Maritime Southeast Asia]]
[[Category:Seas of Indonesia]]
[[Category:Western Indo-Pacific]]