Ancient flood may have shaped the Mediterranean Sea
According to the latest theory, the Mediterranean Sea may have been formed by the largest flood in history. Over 5 million years ago, water from the Atlantic Ocean is believed to have broken 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 broke through the Strait of Gibraltar. According to the Science Alert service, this immense flood is believed to have created the Mediterranean basin.
The largest flood in history
Research indicates that at its peak, the flood delivered 1,000 times more water than today's Amazon River, leading to the creation of a massive body of water. This theory, although controversial, is supported by geological studies indicating the existence of an underwater canyon in the Strait of Gibraltar.
The latest studies analyze sediments from that period, suggesting water spilled through the area between Sicily and Africa, filling the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. This discovery is another step in researching 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 substantial environmental changes occurred around 6 million years ago. At that time, the sea was isolated from the Atlantic, and the water level dropped significantly.
Research conducted by a team led by Aaron Micallef from Malta indicates that a gigantic wave might have passed by Sicily, creating characteristic hills and depressions. A computer model confirmed that the water could have flowed at 71 mph, filling the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin.
