How did the Messinian Salinity Crisis end?

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3121.2005.00627.x
• Publication Date: 2005-09-28T09:54:57Z
• Authors: Nicolas Loget; Jean Van Den Drie...; Philippe Davy
• Keywords: Mediterranean Basin

Abstract The cause of the desiccation Mediterranean Sea during Messinian Salinity Crisis has been widely debated, but its re‐flooding remains poorly investigated. Interpretations generally involve tectonic collapse Strait Gibraltar or global sea‐level rise, even a combination both. dramatic fall in induced deep fluvial incision all around desiccated basin. We investigate erosion dynamics related to this base level drop by using numerical simulator EROS. show that intense regressive develops inevitably area eventually inducing piracy Atlantic waters an eastward‐flowing stream and subsequent Mediterranean.