How the Atlantic's mighty breach shaped the Mediterranean
According to the latest theory, the Mediterranean Sea may have been formed by the largest flood in history. Over 5 million years ago, it is believed that water from the Atlantic Ocean broke through the Strait of Gibraltar, filling the Mediterranean Sea in just a few months.
Scientists suggest that around 5 million years ago, water from the Atlantic Ocean breached the Strait of Gibraltar. According to the Science Alert service, this colossal flood is believed to have carved out the Mediterranean basin.
The largest flood in history
Research indicates that at its peak, the flood delivered 1,000 times more water than the Amazon River discharges today, leading to the creation of an immense body of water. This theory, although controversial, is supported by geological studies that point to the existence of an underwater canyon in the Strait of Gibraltar.
The latest studies analyse sediments from that period, which suggest that water flowed through the area between Sicily and Africa, filling the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. This discovery is another step in investigating the so-called Messinian crisis, when the Mediterranean Sea almost completely dried up.
The turbulent history of the Mediterranean Sea
In the 1970s, scientists discovered a thick layer of salt beneath the Mediterranean Sea floor, confirming that significant environmental changes occurred around 6 million years ago. At that time, the sea was cut off from the Atlantic, and the water level dropped significantly.
Research conducted by a team led by Aaron Micallef from Malta suggests that a massive wave might have passed by Sicily, creating characteristic hills and depressions. A computer model confirmed that the water could have flowed at 115 km/h, filling the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin.
