Ancient Mediterranean Sea Dried Up in Two Dramatic Stages
A new study has dared to uncover the mysteries of a geological event so colossal it nearly transformed the entire Mediterranean Sea into a barren desert. Around 5.5 million years ago, an event known as the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC) caused the Mediterranean to lose a staggering 70% of its water, leaving behind a vast expanse of salt deposits.
Using chlorine isotopes in those salt deposits and complex computer models, scientists have now revealed the MSC unfolded in two distinct phases. This intense drying period began when water flow between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean, through what is now the Strait of Gibraltar, slowed to a trickle over roughly 35,000 years.
As fresh water stopped replenishing the basin, evaporation rates soared, accelerating the buildup of salts and driving down water levels.
“The huge size of the Mediterranean depression created by MSC water level drawdown – corresponding to a volume loss of 69 percent of the Mediterranean water body – would have generated planetary-scale climate effects, inducing changes in precipitation patterns, a scenario suggested by rainfall proxy data,” write the authors in their published paper.
The second phase brought an even more drastic shift.
The Mediterranean became completely isolated from the Atlantic, leading to a precipitous drop in water levels over the next 10,000 years. Imagine vast stretches of seabed exposed, a land bridge possibly forming between Europe and Africa through what we now know as the Strait of Sicily. This dramatic retreat likely turned the eastern Mediterranean into a desolate, hyper-saline basin, leaving behind a lasting record in the salt deposits that remain.
This revelation sheds new light on the debate surrounding the MSC. For years, scientists grappled with the question of whether a complete disconnect from the Atlantic was necessary for this colossal drying event. The findings suggest both schools of thought were partially correct – the MSC was a two-act drama played out over thousands of years, each stage contributing to the Mediterranean’s dramatic transformation.
The study paints a vivid picture of a time when tectonic activity was reshaping the Earth’s surface, and local changes had global repercussions. The MSC likely sparked significant shifts in weather patterns, leaving lasting evidence in the geological record. It highlights the interconnected nature of our planet and serves as a potent reminder of the dramatic forces that have shaped our world.
Today, the Strait of Gibraltar is far wider and deeper than it was during the MSC. Without this connection to the Atlantic, the Mediterranean would be losing nearly 20 inches of water every year. Luckily, a subsequent event, known as the Zanclean flood, reversed the effects of the MSC.
Despite the passage of millions of years, the MSC continues to intrigue scientists. Their findings offer vital insights not only into the Mediterranean itself but also into broader changes that rippled across the globe during this pivotal period in Earth’s history.
"Our results have broader implications for the biological, geologic and climatic evolution of the Mediterranean realm, and beyond," write the researchers.
The research was published in Nature Communications, available for anyone with a thirst for exploring the world’s deep past.
## Ancient Mediterranean’s Dramatic Drying Up: An Interview with Dr. Elena Ramirez
**World Today News:** The recent study unveiling the two-stage drying up of the Mediterranean Sea during the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC) has captivated the scientific community.Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Elena Ramirez, a leading geologist and expert on the MSC.
Welcome, Dr. Ramirez.
**Dr. Ramirez:** Thank you for having me.
**World Today News:** This new research paints a fascinating picture of a dramatic geological event. Could you elaborate on what transpired during the MSC, specifically thes two distinct stages?
**Dr. Ramirez:** Absolutely. The MSC, occurring around 5.5 million years ago, was a period of intense environmental change in the Mediterranean region.Our research shows it unfolded in two distinct phases.
The first phase was marked by a gradual reduction in water flow between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar. Imagine a faucet slowly being turned off over tens of thousands of years. This restricted water supply allowed evaporation to outpace freshwater replenishment, causing the Mediterranean to steadily shrink.
The second phase was much more abrupt.
Our analysis of chlorine isotopes in ancient salt deposits suggests that during this stage,the water flow through Gibraltar basically stopped entirely. This triggered a rapid and dramatic drop in sea level, further accelerating evaporation and transforming vast areas of the Mediterranean seabed into a parched expanse of salt flats.
**World Today News:** This is truly remarkable. What were the immediate consequences of this drying up?
**Dr. Ramirez:** Imagine the impact on the ecosystem. Marine life was severely affected, with many species dying out due to the increasing salinity and shrinking water volume.
Landscapes were drastically altered as coastal areas were exposed and transformed into deserts. Imagine the Aral Sea currently shrinking back in time – the fauna and flora would be completely diffrent.
**World Today News:** The MSC eve
nt also created vast salt deposits, which are still visible today.Can you tell us about their meaning?
**Dr. Ramirez:** These salt deposits are incredibly valuable to scientists. They act as windows into the past, providing crucial clues about the environment and climate during the MSC.
By studying the composition and structure of these deposits, we can reconstruct the sequence of events, the rate of water loss, and even the salinity levels during different phases of the crisis.
**World Today News:** Looking beyond the past, are there any lessons we can learn from the MSC for the present and future?
**Dr. Ramirez:** Certainly. While the MSC was a natural phenomenon, it serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance of our natural systems.
The dramatic consequences of even a modest reduction in water flow highlight the importance of understanding and protecting our water resources. Climate change and human activities threaten water availability globally, and the MSC offers a cautionary tale of what can happen when this balance is disrupted.
**World Today News:** Thank you for shedding light on this remarkable geological event and its implications for us today, Dr. Ramirez.
**Dr. Ramirez:** it’s my pleasure.
