History of Red Sea in Timeline

The Red Sea, an inlet of the Indian Ocean nestled between Africa and Asia, connects to the ocean through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden in the south. Its northern boundaries are defined by the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez. Geologically, it is situated atop the Red Sea Rift, a segment of the Great Rift Valley.

1949: Discovery of Anomalously Hot Brines

In 1949, a deep water survey reported anomalously hot brines in the central portion of the Red Sea.

1963: Discovery of the Durwara 2 Field

The Durwara 2 Field was discovered in 1963 on the Egyptian side of the Red Sea.

1967: Closure of the Suez Canal

The Six-Day War culminated in the closure of the Suez Canal in 1967.

1969: Discovery of the Barqan Field

The Barqan Field was discovered in 1969 within the Midyan Basin on the Saudi Arabian side of the Red Sea.

1975: Reopening of the Suez Canal

The Suez Canal was reopened in 1975 after being closed for eight years.

1976: Discovery of Suakin 1 and Bashayer 1A Fields

The Suakin 1 Field and the Bashayer 1A Field were discovered in 1976, on the Egyptian side of the Red Sea.

1983: Establishment of Ras Mohammed National Park

The Egyptian government set up the Ras Mohammed National Park in 1983 to protect the area's special biodiversity.

1992: Discovery of the Midyan Field

The Midyan Field was discovered in 1992 within the Midyan Basin on the Saudi Arabian side of the Red Sea.

2005: Red Sea Widening

In 2005, following a three-week period of tectonic activity, the Red Sea had grown by 8 m [26 ft].

2007: Volcanic Eruption of Jabal al-Tair Island

In 2007, Jabal al-Tair island in the Bab el Mandeb strait erupted violently.

December 2010: Closure of Sharm el-Sheikh Beach Due to Shark Attacks

The popular tourist beach of Sharm el-Sheikh was closed to all swimming in December 2010 due to several serious shark attacks.

December 2011: Emergence of Sholan Island

The first island, Sholan Island, emerged in an eruption in December 2011 in the Zubair Archipelago.

September 2013: Emergence of Jadid Island

The second island, Jadid, emerged in September 2013 in the Zubair Archipelago.

2022: Partial Completion of Red Sea Project Accommodation

The Red Sea Project aimed to build high-quality accommodation and a wide range of facilities on the coast line in Saudi Arabia, allowing visitors by the end of 2022.

November 2023: Increased Houthi Attacks on Shipping Vessels

Houthi rebels in Yemen increased attacks on shipping vessels, blocking Israeli-linked ships in response to Israel's war on Gaza, since mid-November 2023.

2023: Increased Houthi Attacks on Western Ships

Iranian-backed Yemini Houthis began to escalate attacks on Western ships, including warships, during the 2023-2024 Israel-Hamas war.

January 2024: Drop in Red Sea Shipping Volumes and US Response

In January 2024, Red Sea shipping volumes dropped to 30% of normal levels due to Houthi intervention. The US responded by announcing a maritime coalition to defend shipping in the Red Sea for the Operation Prosperity Guardian and undertook dozens of air and sea strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.