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Ancient geological changes: How did the Mediterranean Sea evolve from an ocean to the landscape it is today?
The Mediterranean Sea, a region that has attracted countless people since ancient times, is not only famous for its beautiful coasts and rich culture, but also carries a deep history of geological and climate change. Its shape and climate have been shaped by millions of years of natural changes driven by the drift of continents, the rise and fall of oceans, and ancient climate shifts.
"The formation of the Mediterranean basin is a long and complex history involving the movement of the Earth's crust and changes in climate."
The geological structure of the Mediterranean region began to take shape in the Paleozoic era, about 250 million years ago. The area and depth of the oceans are constantly changing, with the interaction between the African and Eurasian plates. Tens of millions of years ago, this was a vast ocean called the Thetis Ocean. As the African plate moved northward, the ocean gradually closed, eventually forming today's Mediterranean Sea about 50 million years ago.
In the process, the climate of the Mediterranean also changed. Around the late Miocene, the evaporation of the Mediterranean Sea caused the region to experience extreme drought conditions, an event known as the Messinian Salinity Crisis. In the process, the retreat and re-inundation of the sea shaped the diverse landforms and climates we see today.
"The Messinian salinity crisis not only affected the water level of the Mediterranean Sea, but also provided a unique environment for the subsequent evolution of plants and animals."
Over time, the ecosystems of the Mediterranean basin began to evolve. The old subtropical evergreen laurel forests gradually transformed into the present Mediterranean forests. The new forest is made up of drought-tolerant plants such as olive trees, grapevines, and various shrubs. These changes have made the Mediterranean region one of the most biologically diverse regions, with tens of thousands of endemic plant and animal species.
However, intensified human activities, especially urbanization and agricultural development, have had irreversible impacts on these ecosystems. Many once dense forests and bushes have now been converted into farmland or cities, threatening the original biological habitats.
“Although human development has promoted the progress of civilization, it has also brought many challenges to the biodiversity of the Mediterranean region.”
Today, although the magnificent scenery of the Mediterranean region still attracts countless tourists, too many creatures are unable to return to their ancient homes due to the challenges of survival. Therefore, it is particularly important to protect the ecosystem in this area. In order to protect the unique biodiversity of the Mediterranean, a number of international conservation projects have been launched to mitigate the impact of climate change and improve the state of the ecosystem.
Overall, the evolution of the Mediterranean is a dynamic painting, from the deep blue ocean to today's diverse terrain, every stroke writes the story of the earth. Looking to the future, how will the Mediterranean continue to evolve and continue to carry human history and life?
