Eratosthenes Canyon and Messinian Event

The Geological Institute of Israel uncovered a previously unknown underwater canyon, Eratosthenes Canyon, near Cyprus, dating back to the Messinian Event.

About Eratosthenes Canyon:

• The canyon dates back to the Messinian Event that transpired about 5.5 million years ago.
• It is about 10 km wide and 500 m deep and was buried at the beginning of the Messinian period before the deposition of the salt layer.

About Messinian Event:

• Also known as the Messinian salinity crisis, it refers to a significant geological period during the late Miocene epoch, approximately 5.96 to 5.33 million years ago.
• It is characterized by a drastic reduction in the Mediterranean Sea’s water level, resulting in the desiccation of large portions of the basin.

How has it unfolded?

• It is attributed to tectonic and climatic factors, including the closure of the Strait of Gibraltar due to the collision of the African and Eurasian plates.
• As a consequence, the Mediterranean Sea became isolated from the Atlantic Ocean, leading to increased evaporation and reduced inflow of water, causing a significant drop in sea level.
• The desiccation of the Mediterranean basin resulted in the formation of vast evaporite deposits, such as gypsum and halite.
• The Messinian Event had profound impacts on the regional climate, ecosystems, and sedimentary processes, shaping the geological and environmental conditions of the Mediterranean region.
• Zanclean Flood: The end of the Messinian Event when the refilling of the Mediterranean basin occurred and the Strait of Gibraltar reopened.

Ref: Source