Mediterranean's Ancient Drought: The Messinian Salinity Crisis

About 6 million years ago, the Mediterranean Sea nearly vanished during the Messinian Salinity Crisis, shedding nearly 70% of its water in two intense phases. Tectonic antics shut the Strait of Gibraltar, exposing land bridges and wiping out 89% of marine species. The saga ended around 5.33 MYA with the Zanclean megaflood, unleashing a waterfall taller than Angel Falls. Today’s saltier Mediterranean echoes this epic tale, offering lessons for our current environmental quests.