Makassar Strait

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) defines the Makassar Strait as being one of the waters of the East Indian Archipelago. The IHO defines its limits as follows:^[1]

The channel between the East coast of Borneo and the West coast of Celebes [Sulawesi], is bounded:

On the North. By a line joining Tanjong Mangkalihat, Borneo (1°02′N 118°57′E / 1.033°N 118.950°E / 1.033; 118.950) and Stroomen Kaap (Cape Binar), Celebes (1°20′N 120°52′E / 1.333°N 120.867°E / 1.333; 120.867).

On the South. By a line from the Southwestern extreme of Celebes (5°37′S 119°27′E / 5.617°S 119.450°E / -5.617; 119.450), through the Southern point of Tana Keke, to the Southern extreme of Laoet (4°06′S 116°06′E / 4.100°S 116.100°E / -4.100; 116.100) thence up the West coast of that island to Tanjong Kiwi and thence across to Tanjong Petang, Borneo (3°37′S 115°57′E / 3.617°S 115.950°E / -3.617; 115.950) at the Southern end of Laoet Strait.

The Makassar Strait and North Makassar Basin is the result of back-arc extension due to the subduction of a small tectonic slab to the east.^[2] Rifting began in the Eocene, with high sedimentation rates filling the extension basin throughout the Eocene through Miocene. These Miocene basin sediments hold very large amounts of oil and natural gas deposits, especially in the hydrocarbon rich Kutei Basin.

The arrival of the Benggai Sula microplate has rotated the Island of Sulawesi in a counter-clockwise direction, allowing opening of the southern Makassar Basin with accommodation by the Adang/Paternoster Fault.

• 
  Beras Basah Island in Makassar Strait, administrative part of Bontang.
• 
  USS Midway (CV-41) and other warships in Makassar Strait, 28 September 1985.
• 
  Offshore oil rig in Makassar Strait, 2005.
• 
  Aur island, administrative part of South Kalimantan.
• 
  KM Arista ship sunk in Makassar Strait, 10 June 2015.^[3]

• Battle of Makassar Strait
• USS Makassar Strait
• Strait of Malacca
• Sunda Strait
• Lombok Strait
• Wallace Line
• Sadang River