An incredible discovery: scientists have come to a conclusion how the Mediterranean Sea, which lost its water millions of years ago, was able to recover
Approximately six million years ago, an extraordinary event known as the Messinian salinity crisis occurred that completely changed the face of the Mediterranean Sea. Scientists have recently uncovered the details of this spectacular natural phenomenon by publishing the results of a study in the journal Nature Communications.
The study revealed two successive phases of dramatic change:
The first phase (about 35 thousand years):
- Salt deposition occurred only in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea
- Formation of an extremely salty basin due to limited water exchange with the Atlantic
The second phase (less than 10 thousand years):
- Rapid accumulation of salt across the entire sea area
- Catastrophic decrease in water level by 1.7-2.1 kilometers in the east and 0.85 kilometers in the west
- Loss of up to 70% of the total water volume
Scientists have found that this event had a large-scale impact:
- Localized volcanic eruptions due to changes in pressure on the earth's crust
- Significant climatic transformations
- Serious challenges for marine ecosystems
The survival of extremophilic organisms in extremely salty conditions was a unique moment.
An unexpected breakthrough of the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar put an end to the drying. In a short time, the sea turned from an almost dry saltwater basin into a thriving aquatic environment.
The study emphasizes the importance of studying geological history:
- Understanding the mechanisms of global environmental change
- The need for international cooperation to overcome climate challenges
- Realizing the potential consequences of rapid natural transformations
Scientists emphasize that studying the past will help to better prepare for future environmental challenges, protect the environment and human communities from possible natural disasters.
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